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Few countries boast such striking physical variety as does Colombia. Its broken, rugged topography, together with its location near the Equator, creates an extraordinary diversity of climates, vegetation, soils, and crops. The Andean cordillera, one of the world's great mountain ranges, dominates the landscape of the western part of the country, where most of the people live. North of the border with Ecuador the cordillera flares out into three distinct parallel ranges. Two great river valleys, those of the Magdalena and the Cauca, separate them and provide avenues of penetration from the Atlantic coastal lowlands into the heart of the country. Volcanic activity in the geologic past blocked the middle course of the Cauca River to form a great lake that once filled the western inter-Andean trough for some 120 miles (190 km) south of Cartago. The river eventually broke through the dam to leave the level floor of the Cauca valley at some 3,000 feet (900 metres) above sea level; today it is one of the nation's most productive agricultural areas.
The Colombian cordilleras belong to the northern portion of the great Andean mountain system, which extends along the Pacific coast of South America. The Andes are among the world's most youthful mountain ranges and among the highest. The geologic history of this northern sector is less well understood than that of the central and southern parts. It is clear, however, that the entire cordillera has been thrust up through the subduction of the crumpled eastern margin of the Nazca Plate and, to the north, the Caribbean Plate under the more rigid but lighter South American Plate, which has been forced westward by the spreading Atlantic seafloor. These tectonic forces, similar to those found elsewhere around the Pacific Rim, continue to operate, as is evidenced by the high frequency of often destructive earthquakes. At the Pasto Massif, near the Ecuadoran border, the mountains divide into the Cordillera Occidental ("Western Range"), which runs parallel to the Pacific coast, and the Cordillera Central ("Central Range"), which, with its numerous volcanoes, forms the backbone of the system in Colombia and runs generally southwest to northeast. At the Great Colombian Massif of the Cordillera Central, near the San Agustín Archeological Park, the Cordillera Oriental ("Eastern Range") branches off in a more decidedly northeasterly direction.
Of the three ranges, the nonvolcanic Cordillera Occidental, which forms the barrier between the Cauca valley and the rain-drenched Pacific coast, is the lowest and least populated. Two passes at elevations less than 5,000 feet (1,500 metres) between Cali and Buenaventura on the Pacific coast mark the lowest depressions in the range. Elsewhere the crest is much higher, reaching 12,992 feet (3,960 metres) at Mount Paramillo in the department of Antioquia. From there the Cordillera Occidental fingers north into the three distinct serranías of Abibe, San Jerónimo, and Ayapel, forested ranges that drop gradually toward the piedmont plains of the Caribbean littoral. A lesser topographic feature on the Pacific coast is the Baudó Mountains, separated from the Cordillera Occidental by the valley of the Atrato River, which empties into the Caribbean Gulf of Urabá; the Baudó Mountains represent a southward extension of the Isthmus of Panama.
The Cordillera Central is the highest of the Andean ranges of Colombia, rising to an average height of 10,000 feet (3,000 metres). It is a continuation of the Ecuadoran volcanic structure. Crystalline rocks are exposed at several places on its flanks and are the foci of localized gold and silver deposits. Sandstones and shales of the Tertiary Period Paleogene and Neogene periods (about 66.5 65 to 12.6 million years ago) are also a part of the older basement that has been capped by ash and lava derived from some 20 volcanoes of the Quaternary Period (within the past 12.6 million years). Several of the latter reach well into the zone of permanent snow, above 15,000 feet (4,600 metres). The highest are Mount Huila (18,865 feet [5,750 metres]), southeast of Cali, and the Ruiz-Tolima complex (some 17,700 feet [5,400 metres]) between Manizales and Ibagué. The fertile ash from their eruptions has produced the high, cool plateaus of Nariño department and the often steep slopes to the north that support much of Colombia's coffee production. In November 1985 Mount Ruíz erupted, melting the snow and ice that covered it and sending great mudflows downslope, destroying the city of Armero and killing more than 25,000 in one of the country's greatest catastrophes.
North of Mount Ruíz, near Sonsón in the department of Antioquia, the volcanic Cordillera Central gives way to the deeply weathered, granitic Antioquia batholith (an exposed granitic intrusion), a tableland averaging some 8,000 feet (2,500 metres) above sea level. It is divided into two parts by the deep transverse cleft of the Porce River, which occupies the U-shaped valley in which is situated the expanding metropolis of Medellín, Colombia's second city. The batholith contains gold-bearing quartz veins, which were the source of the placer gravels that gave rise to an active colonial mining economy. Beyond Antioquia the lower, remote San Lucas Mountains extend northward toward the confluence of the Magdalena and Cauca rivers.
The massive Cordillera Oriental, separating the Magdalena valley from the Llanos, is composed chiefly of folded and faulted marine sediments and older schists and gneisses. Narrow to the south, it broadens out in the high, unsettled massif of Sumapaz, with elevations up to 13,000 feet (4,000 metres). High plateaus were formed in the Quaternary Period by the deposition of sediments in depressions that had been occupied by lakes. The most important of these is the savanna area called the Sabana de Bogotá. Farther northeast beyond the deep canyons cut by the Chicamocha River and its tributaries, the Cordillera Oriental culminates in the towering Mount Cocuy (Sierra Nevada del Cocuy), which rises to 18,022 feet (5,493 metres). Beyond this point, near Pamplona, the cordillera splits into two much narrower ranges, one extending into Venezuela, the other, the Perijá Mountains, forming the northern boundary range between Colombia and Venezuela. The Perijás then descend northward toward the Caribbean to the arid La Guajira Peninsula, the northernmost extension of the Colombian mainland.
The isolated Santa Marta Mountains are an imposing fault-bounded granitic massif rising to 18,947 feet (5,775 metres) at the "twin peaks" of Cristóbal Colón and Simón Bolívar, the highest point in the country (for a discussion of the height of the Santa Marta Mountains, see Researcher's Note: Heights of the "twin peaks" of the Santa Marta Mountains); the massif ascends abruptly from the Caribbean littoral to snow- and ice-covered summits. The Atlantic lowlands spread out southward behind it. Although it is a distinct geomorphic unit and not a part of the Andes, some geologists have suggested that it might be considered an extension of the Cordillera Central, from which it is separated by the Mompós depression in the lower Magdalena valley.
The steep and rugged Andean mountain masses and the high intermontane basins descend into plains that extend along the Caribbean and Pacific coasts and across the eastern interior toward the Orinoco and Amazon river systems. From the shores of the Caribbean Sea inland to the lower spurs of the three major cordilleras extends a slightly undulating savanna surface of varying width, generally known as the Atlantic lowlands (also called the Caribbean coastal lowlands). Dotted with hills and with extensive tracts of seasonally flooded land along the lower Magdalena and the Sinú rivers, it surrounds the inland portion of the Santa Marta Mountains. A much narrower lowland apron extends along the Pacific shoreline from the point of Cape Corrientes southward to the Ecuadoran border.
A wide range of features characterize the country's two coastlines. Steep and articulated bays, inlets, capes, and promontories accentuate the shoreline on the Pacific side toward the Panama border and on the Caribbean side where the sea beats against the base of the Santa Marta Mountains. These features are interspersed with sandy beaches, along with barrier islands and brackish lagoons.
The eastern two-thirds of the country, lying beyond the Andes, differs from cordilleran Colombia in practically all aspects of physical and human geography. The eastern lowland extends from the Venezuelan boundary along the Arauca and Meta rivers in the north to the Peruvian-Ecuadoran border stream, the Putumayo, some 600 miles (1,000 km) to the south and from the base of the Cordillera Oriental eastward to the Orinoco-Negro river line, a distance of more than 400 miles (650 km). A region of great topographic uniformity, it is divided into two contrasting natural landscapes by a major vegetation boundary. In southern Colombia the Amazonian rainforest, or selva, reaches its northern limit. From the Guaviare River northward the plains between the Andes and the Orinoco River are mostly grass-covered, forming the largest savanna complex in tropical America. This part of the lowland is called the Llanos Orientales ("Eastern Plains") or simply the Llanos.
In the central part of the plain, between the Guaviare and Caquetá rivers, the eroded rocks of the ancient Guiana Shield are exposed, producing a broken topography of low, isolated mountains, tablelands, and buttes with rapids in the streams. This slightly higher ground forms the watershed between the Amazon and Orinoco systems. Some 60 miles (100 km) south of Villavicencio the elongated, forested La Macarena Mountains rise 8,000 feet (2,500 metres) from the surrounding lowlands, an isolated tropical ecosystem.
In Colombia's rugged terrain the rivers have been historically important as routes of transportation and settlement. By far the most important river system is the Magdalena. Its drainage basin, including that of its major tributary, the Cauca, covers some 100,000 square miles (260,000 square km), or nearly one-fourth of the surface of the country. Within it are found most of the nation's socioeconomic activity and more than three-fourths of its population. Originating in the Andean Páramo de Las Papas, the Magdalena flows northward in the structural depression between the Cordilleras Central and Oriental for almost 1,000 miles (1,600 km) to empty into the Caribbean near Barranquilla. The Dique Canal, begun during the colonial period, links its lower course with the coastal city of Cartagena. The Cauca River, which contributes a substantial part of its total flow, rises in the mountains south of Popayán and, after passing through the floor of the Cauca valley near Cali, occupies deep canyons in most of its passage through the departments of Caldas and Antioquia before emerging onto the floodplain of the lower Magdalena.
The Magdalena, a shallow, braiding stream in its upper and middle course, served as a major transport artery for most of the country's history, but deforestation and soil erosion have led to silting and increased flow variation so that its role has become less significant. Because of its rapids, the Cauca has never been of much importance for the moving of goods. Among the major affluents of the Magdalena, besides the Cauca, are the Sogamoso, Cesar, San Jorge, Saldaña, Lebrija, and Carare rivers. The Sinú and the Atrato are other major streams that flow directly into the Caribbean.
The great eastern watershed is subdivided into two sections, the waters flowing into the Orinoco and the Amazon rivers, which carry them to the Atlantic Ocean. The Arauca and Meta, the lower reaches of which cross into Venezuela, and the Vichada, Inírida, and Guaviare are among the main rivers that flow into the Orinoco. Among the streams that flow into the Amazon are the Vaupés, Caquetá, and Putumayo. The rivers that flow into the Pacific are relatively short, descending rapidly from the Cordillera Occidental to the sea. They carry large volumes of water, however, because they drain areas of extremely heavy rainfall. Among the rivers belonging to the Pacific watershed are the Baudó, San Juan, Dagua, Naya, San Juan de Micay, Patía, and Mira, which rises in Ecuador.
The wide variety of soils encountered in the country reflects climatic, topographic, and geologic conditions. Those best suited for modern, mechanized agriculture are the alluvial soils found in the principal river valleys, such as the Magdalena, Cauca, Sinú, Cesar, and Ariguaní. The former lake beds of some of the inter-Andean basins, notably the Sabana de Bogotá and the Ubaté and Chiquinquirá valleys, also fall into this category. Elsewhere, soils of volcanic origin, especially in the coffee-growing districts of the Cordillera Central, can be exceptionally productive if protected from erosion. The Quindío department, west of Bogotá, is especially renowned for its rich soils.
Because of the country's close proximity to the Equator, its climate is generally tropical and isothermal (without any real change of seasons). Temperatures vary little throughout the year. The only genuinely variable climatic element is the amount of annual precipitation. Climatic differences are related to elevation and the displacement of the intertropical convergence zone between the two major air masses from which the northeast and southeast trade winds originate. Human settlement is more oriented to vertical zoning in Colombia than anywhere else in Latin America.
The climate of the tropical rainforest in the Amazon region, the northern Pacific coast, and the central Magdalena valley is marked by an annual rainfall of more than 100 inches (2,500 mm) and annual average temperatures above 74 °F (23 °C). A tropical monsoon climate, marked by one or more dry months but still supporting rainforest vegetation, occurs along the southern Pacific coast, on the Caribbean coast, and at places in the interior—the Quindío department and near Villavicencio.
The tropical savanna conditions of alternately wet and dry seasons constitute the predominant climate of the Atlantic lowlands; the dry season occurs from November to April, and the wet season (broken by dry periods) from May to October. This climate is found also in the Llanos region and in part of the upper Magdalena valley. It is characterized by an annual rainfall of 40 to 70 inches (1,000 to 1,800 mm) and annual average temperatures usually above 74 °F (23 °C). The dry season, accompanied by dust and wind, coincides with the true winter of the Northern Hemisphere.
A drier savanna climate prevails on the Caribbean littoral from the Gulf of Morrosquillo to the La Guajira Peninsula in the northeast. The rains normally occur in two brief periods (in April and in October–November, respectively) but rarely exceed 30 inches (760 mm) annually. The average temperature is hot—more than 81 °F (27 °C)—with the daily range greatest where the humidity is low. This type of climate also occurs in the rain shadows of the deep gorges of such rivers as the Patía, Cauca, Chicamocha, and Zulia and in parts of the upper Magdalena valley. The climate reaches near-desert conditions in the far northern department of La Guajira.
In the mountain regions temperature is directly related to elevation. Average temperatures decrease uniformly about 3 °F per 1,000 feet of ascent (0.6 °C per 100 metres). Popular terminology recognizes distinct temperature zones (pisos térmicos), which are sometimes referred to as tierra caliente (up to about 3,000 feet [900 metres]), tierra templada or tierra del café (3,000 to 6,500 feet [900 to 2,000 metres]), and tierra fría (6,500 to 10,000 feet [2,000 to 3,000 metres]). The majority of Colombians live in the interior cordilleras in the tierra templada and the tierra fría zones. The tierra templada has moderate rainfall and temperatures between 65 and 75 °F (18 and 24 °C). In the tierra fría is Bogotá, which lies 8,660 feet (2,640 metres) above sea level and has an average of 223 days of precipitation, although the average rainfall is scarcely 40 inches (1,000 mm). The city's average temperature is 57 °F (14 °C). The climate of the high mountain regions—the páramos, ranging from about 10,000 to 15,000 feet (3,000 to 4,600 metres)—is characterized by average temperatures below 50 °F (10 °C), fog, overcast skies, frequent winds, and light rain or drizzle. At elevations above 15,000 feet (4,600 metres) there is perpetual snow and ice.
The diversity of life-forms and habitats in Colombia has impressed observers since the days of the German explorer Alexander von Humboldt. The complex pattern of climate, soil, and topography has produced an extraordinary range of plants and plant communities that vary through both vertical and horizontal zones. They range from the mangrove swamps of the coasts, the desert scrub of La Guajira, the savanna grasslands and gallery ecosystems of the Atlantic lowlands and the Llanos, and the rainforest of Amazonia and the Chocó region to the widely diverse and complex montane ecosystems of the Andean slopes.
Human intervention has vastly altered what must have been the original vegetation of the Atlantic lowlands and the Andean region. Forests probably covered all but the highest and driest areas, where the soils were unsuited to support them. Today they are restricted to the steepest, most inaccessible slopes and to areas of especially high rainfall in the inner Andes. Elsewhere pasture, crops, or degraded scrub and grass have replaced the original cover of broad-leaved evergreen trees. The first chroniclers often described the Andes as sparsely wooded, a condition they usually attributed to Indian agriculture and burning. In more recent times, with the increasing number of European cattle, the area in grassland has been vastly extended, both in the mountains and on the Atlantic lowlands. Introduced grass species of African origin are particularly conspicuous.
Even in the most lush forest tracts that remain, such as those that flank the outer sides of the eastern and western ranges, there is much evidence of earlier human occupation. These wet montane forests are characterized by lianas, mosses, orchids, and bromeliads and by such economically valued plants as cinchona, the latex-bearing balata, ivory nut (tagua), and the giant American bamboo. Lumbering has had a minor role because of the singular difficulty of access as well as the absence of forests of any one commercial species. In modern times technological advances have made possible the exploitation of forest species in accessible parts of the Atrato River basin and on the Pacific coast near Buenaventura.
The distinctive páramo biome of the equatorial high mountains reaches its greatest development in Colombia. This alpine vegetation is characterized by tussock grasses, cushion plants, and the treelike frailejón (Espeletia), a curious-looking hairy-leafed genus of some 50 different species. Fire-resistant and adapted to low temperatures and high humidity, it gives special character to the páramo landscape. The lower páramo, below 12,000 feet (3,650 metres), is a transitional belt in which scattered clumps of trees occur. Despite its bleak and forbidding climate, much of the páramo has been significantly altered by human activity, especially wood cutting and burning to promote better grazing. Agriculture has also impinged on its lower reaches, but extensive tracts remain relatively untouched by humans.
The animal life of the forests of the Amazon and Pacific coastal Chocó regions is particularly rich and has supported a considerable export trade to North American and European zoos. It includes anteaters, sloths, several monkey species, tapirs, peccaries, spectacled bears, deer, and such large tropical rodents as agoutis, pacas, and capybaras. Carnivores include pumas and jaguars, which were considered endangered species by the 1980s, and raccoons.
Bird habitats are influenced by elevation, and many species are specific to narrow altitudinal bands, ranging upward and downward only very short distances. The extremely lush birdlife encompasses more than 1,500 species, including toucans, hummingbirds, and those that migrate annually from North America. Among the reptiles, turtles, lizards, snakes, caimans, and crocodiles abound. Some quite unusual species inhabit the land, including earthworms that grow up to six feet in length. Freshwater fish include catfish, bocachica ("smallmouth"), and characins (small, brightly coloured tropical fishes). Electric eels also inhabit the inland waters. The Magdalena and Cauca once supported rich river fisheries, but pollution and unrestrained commercial exploitation have taken a heavy toll.
Colombia can be divided into five traditional geographic regions: the Atlantic lowlands, the Pacific coastal region, the Andean region, the Llanos, and the Amazonian rainforest.
Of early colonial importance, the Atlantic lowlands are now second to the Andean region in population and economic significance. The area is home to one-fifth of Colombia's population, partly concentrated in Barranquilla, Cartagena, and Santa Marta, the country's principal Caribbean ports. Cattle raising and mixed agriculture are the traditional economic activities, but large-scale commercial farming, especially of rice, cotton, and bananas, has been successful. Irrigation has expanded since the mid-20th century, especially in the valleys of the Sinú and Cesar rivers. Bananas are grown for export in the Urabá region.
The Pacific coast, including the department of Chocó, with its lush rainforest and infertile soils, is sparsely inhabited. Most of its people are descendants of liberated African slaves who settled in agricultural clearings along the rivers. It has little commercial activity. The coastal city of Buenaventura is the only port of note and the main population centre.
The Andean region is the centre of national political and economic power, with most of the country's population and large cities, including Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali, the three most populous. The Cauca valley, with its vast tract of alluvial soil, the Sabana de Bogotá, and the Antioquia highlands are perhaps the most dynamic centres of economic activity and growth.
Although the Llanos and the Amazonian rainforest together make up nearly two-thirds of the country's land area, they contain only a tiny fraction of the population. About one-third of this number are in the department of Meta in the Llanos, where cattle raising has long been the traditional way of life. New penetration roads extending down from the Andes have encouraged colonization along the margins of both of these areas, as have discoveries of petroleum. The remoter areas of the Amazon region were sparsely inhabited only by small groups of Indians until the 1990s, when coca growers and guerrilla groups joined them.

subset: commoncrawl


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Welcome to another Recap episode where we go over the day's biggest headlines, making sure that you're caught up in all things video games.
15 minutes of Wasteland 2 gameplay footage
It has been quite a while since InXile has revealed anything related to Wasteland 2, the sequel to Interplay's post-apocalyptic PC RPG. Back in April/March of 2012, Brian Fargo, the creator of Wasteland. Now we get a glimpse at 15 minutes of awesome footage.
Dead Space 3 infinite resource exploit 'not a glitch' according to EA
Despite Dead Space 3's polarizing reviews, one aspect of the game that reviewers and fans alike have commented on is how atrocious the in-game microtransactions are. Thankfully, EA responded to the glitch in a very favorable way.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim update 1.8 rolling out on PS3
Unlock additional content with Halo: Silentium


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|Thread Tools
Hope everybody had a good thanksgiving weekend!
Cause I know I did! First thanksgiving away from the folks. Good friend Bruce was in town(friends since 1st grade) hung out with him for dinner, have not seen the guy in two years. Also had our annual football game that day. Hit the bar friday night, the whole gang was there. Then proceeded to get in a wrestling match with Katie at Greg's house afterwards.. Didn't do to well, i'll blame it on the many beers that were consumed that night. Then just hung out the rest of the weekend till everybody left. Sure felt good to have the "Dork Squad" back together.
So what did everybody else do??
-Perry Loughridge aka "Skelator" aka KDØLDQ
4th gen Coloradoan.
-87 Toyota 4runner. Flat bed by Proffitts Cruisers 5.29 gears, rear locker. 33" mt/r tires. Snackster cooker. Eazi-Awn 1200 RTT and more tube work by the Homegrown Crew . And still more to come
COLORADO: my "Monument in Green"
Went to the Springs and ate bird with some old friends. We did the family thing for Birdday and Christmas for a lot of years, they are just too close together and too much alike ... and way too much in-law family, frankly.
Lotsa bird... football... sleep during halftime... more football and dessert... movie... more bird or whatever... good talks, good times.
Nice change. The distance to the Springs keeps getting less and less the older I get. MAN, there's some significant development going on!!!
-Bill Morgan
Heb Dduw, heb ddim; Duw a digon
Abnormally aspirated
Bio Page
I'm that gun-totin', farm-raised, evangelical, pro-environment, OHV ridin'/drivin', Southern civil rights pro-labor Liberal yo' momma told you couldn't possibly exist.
|Thread Tools


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Well, its midnight here...and the Cboard lull has hit again. In fact, I just looked to see who was online, and I was the only person on this entire board....so it REALLY IS the Cboard lull right now. heh heh.
Well I have a couple of things to say in my immense boredom here...
First of all, many know I am a DXer. However, I am also trying to learn OpenGL so I can know both of the APIs. But so far EVERY SINGLE OpenGL tutorial I have found are just as bad as all the internet DX tutorials. Does anyone know anywhere where I could find a decent OpenGL tutorial?
I was just looking at one...and it assumed I knew how to make a Window...ha! I learned that once...and only once...because usually once I make a Window I dont ever have to deal with it again...I just delve into the graphics....so that one sucked....and then it just threw a bunch of graphics code at me without telling me what ANY of the functions did. How the heck am I supposed to know what these mean:
glColor3f( 1.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f );
glVertex2f( 0.0f, 1.0f );
theta += 1.0f;
Now that is some Hungarian notation if I have ever seen any...
Well, gamegod just pointed me towards another Gl tutorial...so I will go there now and check it out...we shall see how it is...
Meanwhile, ever wonder what version of Windows Bill Gates uses? He has full access to all the source code, and can change it for himself at his own will, so I highly doubt he uses a released version of Windows. So I decided to name the version of Windows he uses...its called:
Gated Windows
Nice, eh? Then I got to thinking what ISP he uses. It must be:
What else would he use? Definitely not something Linux based....
Anyways...thats my immense boredom ramblings....feel free to comment and point me towards some good OpenGL tutorials.


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- Williams news
Gillan leaves Williams
- Teams:
- Williams
Chief operations engineer Mark Gillan has left Williams after just one year at the team.
Gillan was one of the key members of a new technical team put in place last year, which has overseen a significant improvement in performance and returned Williams to the top step of the podium at the Spanish Grand Prix this year.
A team spokeswoman confirmed to ESPN that he had left the team to spend more time with his family, but said there were no further details on how the team intends to replace Gillan.
Gillan's role saw him lead the team's operations at grand prix weekends this year, working under technical director Mike Coughlan. Although Williams only managed to finish eighth in the constructors' title despite having a race-winning car, the team scored 71 more points than it had in the previous year.


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Pacers/Bulls Game Rescheduled for Feb. 4th
Official Release
January 2, 2013 5:35 PM
NEW YORK, January 2, 2013 – The Chicago Bulls at Indiana Pacers game that was postponed on Wednesday, December 26 has been rescheduled for Monday, February 4 at 7 p.m. ET at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, the National Basketball Association announced today. The tickets Pacers fans were going to bring on December 26 will be valid for the rescheduled game and should be brought on February 4.
December 26, 4:10 PM - Postponement Announcement
The Indiana Pacers' game with the Chicago Bulls Wednesday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse has been postponed due to weather conditions. The game will be rescheduled and announced at a later date. Tickets for Wednesday night's game will be honored for that game.


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To everyone at BMWMOA and the entire rally crew, "Fantastic Job!" I am brand new to this entire scene and was really blown away by how great, helpful, cool (even in the intense heat), and well organized everything was. The Thorogood show was tremendous, the vendors were great and god, the bikes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you from a newly minted (and very proud) BMWMOA member!
Get home safely everyone


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Related quotes
"I have always loved rock music. But I have played country music since my senior year in high school. That's where my heart is. I try to keep up with the rock world as much as I can."
"I think rock music is getting better. The best (selling) music has been hip-hop for quite a while. So those guys are making the money and making the videos."
"That's what drew me to rock music in the first place - that sense of remaking the world on your own terms."


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NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR TAX DEED Notice is hereby given that Equifunding, Inc., holder of tax certificate No. 1049 issued May 29, 2002, has filed same in my office and has made application for a tax deed to be issued thereon. Said certificate embraces the following described property in the County of St. Johns, State of Florida, to-wit: PARCEL NUMBER 049135-0085 SEC 33 TWP 09 RGE 28 1-106 (8-1) ESTES & ERWIN SUB S 206.5 OF N 689 OF W 317 FT OF LOT 1 (S 206.5 FT OF LOT 8 PACETTI RANCHETTES OR CELERY FARM ACRES UNREC PLAT) OR622/46 OR2573/425 (L/A) The assessment of the said property under the said certificate issued was in the name of MARY L. WYNN & PATRICIA ADAIR GREEN. Unless said certificate shall be redeemed according to law, the property described therein will be sold to the highest bidder at the front door of the St. Johns County Judicial Building, 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, Florida, 32084, on MAY 10, 2006 at 12:00 o'clock noon. Dated this March 16, 2006. (OFFICIAL SEAL) Cheryl Strickland Clerk of Circuit Court of St. Johns County, Florida In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act persons needing a special accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact the Clerk of Court at 4010 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine, FL 32095 no later than seven days prior to the sale date. Telephone: (904) 819-3657; 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (V), via Florida Relay Service. L923-6 Apr 5, 12, 19, 26, 2006
Posted from 5-Apr-06 to 26-Apr-06
© 2018. All Rights Reserved. Contact Us


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how would one use arrays to construct a program in which you are given a pile of coins, and you must sort the coins from largest to smallest. the only action the program is able to do is a FLIP, where you flip coins from the top? any suggestions?
how would one use arrays to construct a program in which you are given a pile of coins, and you must sort the coins from largest to smallest. the only action the program is able to do is a FLIP, where you flip coins from the top? any suggestions?
any suggestions???
Why did you wait 10 minutes and post? Wait a little longer, maybe someone wouldv'e answered. Anyways I don't really get what you're saying. It's not that clear
sorry for the quick reply.
okay, basically the program takes commands from the user.
for example, the user inputs the following: qdnppq
(quarter, dime, nickle, penny, penny, quarter)
imagine the first q is the bottom of a pile.
the program then must take this pile of coins and use a FLIP function to sort the list as follows. qqnppd (largest to smallest).
the flip function flips from the top. basically it would compare sizes and flip if needed.
if it's still not clear, i can be more precise.
Read up on the bubble sort algorithm.
Try not.
Do or do not.
There is no try.
- Master Yoda
thanks for the suggestion, but i really don't think bubble sorting is what this program is supposed to use. it is supposed to look at the highest and lowest values (based on coin size) and use that comparison in the flip.
that's what a bubble sort does!
alright guys, i'll give it a try and see what happens. can anyone direct me to source code for a bubble sort?
Try something like that for the sort. You'll have to do the figuring of which size is > the others and such.Code:#define ARR_SIZE 5 char coins[ARR_SIZE]; for (int i = 0; i < ARR_SIZE; ++i) for (int j = 0; j < (ARR_SIZE - 1); ++j) { if (coins[j] > coins[j + 1]) { char tmp = coins[j + 1]; coins[j + 1] = coins[j]; coins[j] = tmp; } }
Doing a bubble sort on built-in array types is easy:
Keep in mind that currently I am without a compiler (need to buy VC++.NET, so this code is untested; please let me know what happensCode:#include <iostream> const int size = 10; void ShowArray(int array[]) { for (int i = 0; i < size; i++) std::cout << array[i] << ' '; std::cout << "\n\n"; } void flip(int array[], int index1, int index2)) { int temp = array[index1]; array[index1] = array[index2]; array[index2] = temp; } int main() { int iarray[] = {10, 1, 6, 2, 0, 43, 322, 4, 15, 3}; ShowArray(iarray); for (int i = 0;;) { if (i == size-1) break; if (iarray[i] > iarray[i+1]) { flip(iarray, i, i+1); i = -1; } i++; } ShowArray(iarray); return 0; }
Last edited by BMJ; 09-13-2002 at 02:47 PM.
code works great! thanks guys....HOWEVER, the flip statement that i am supposed to use is only allowed to take an argument of type int. do you have any suggestions there?
Does this work? (remember, I can't test it)PHP Code:
#include <iostream>
int pile[] = {25, 1, 5, 10, 10, 5, 25, 25, 1, 5};
const int size = 10;
void ShowArray()
for (int i = 0; i < size; i++)
std::cout << pile[i] << ' ';
std::cout << "\n\n";
void flip(int index)
int temp = pile[index];
pile[index] = pile[index+1];
pile[index+1] = temp;
int main()
// begin sort
for (int i = 0;;)
if (i == size-1)
if (pile[i] > pile[i+1])
i = -1;
// end sort
return 0;
Last edited by BMJ; 09-13-2002 at 03:04 PM.
great! wow, you are a big help. there were 2 minor cosmetic errors ( just the ; in the for statement) but it works great besides that. thanks so much!
Think about it though... bubble sorts are so easy to understand... it starts at the beginning, sees if the next element is smaller, if it is flip em and start over, otherwise keep going... once you reach the last element (size-1); you're done!
or in other words, it starts from the bottom of the pile, and works its way to the top


text:
The annual Gordons' Concerts series of free music concerts in various parks around Los Alamos has returned for the summer through September 15, 2012.
The Los Alamos free concerts take place on Friday evenings at 7 pm, with music ranging from classic rock to world rhythms, from bebop to bluegrass. There is no admission charge, just turn up to enjoy the free music concerts and have a dance, or take a lawn chair and chill out, enjoying the sunset and views! Forthcoming concerts are:
June 15: The Police Experience at Ashley Pond
June 22: Guy Forsyth Band at Ashley Pond
June 29: Chuck Prophet & The Mission Express at Pajarito Ski Hill
Find the Los Alamos Gordons' Concerts schedule for the rest of the summer plus maps to the venues.


text: MTuWTh, 10:20 AM-11:50 AM, SY 108 Required for all majors in the Department of Communication and Culture Fulfills College A&H Requirement Course Director: Kathleen McConnell E-Mail: firstname.lastname@example.com Office: 800 E. 3rd St. – room 216 Phone: 855-6405 Communication does much more than transfer information between people; it is not a neutral or transparent "container" for data and ideas. Communication does not merely "transmit" the beliefs, attitudes, behaviors, and identities that define human culture — it actively shapes and defines them. This course critically examines the productive and dialectical relationship between communication and culture, exploring some of the ways that communication crafts culture and that culture affects communication. As an introductory course, C205 offers a broad overview of the conceptual vocabularies and critical strategies that scholars use to study communication. The goal here is to provide students with the ability to recognize and discuss these various perspectives, and thus begin to develop the tools needed to become an intelligent observer of human communication as well as an effective participant in contemporary culture. This course also is an introduction to the unique perspective provided by the combined interests and talents of the faculty in the department of Communication & Culture. Toward this end, we will read essays written by scholars whose interests represent those that characterize our faculty, including Rhetoric & Public Culture, Ethnography & Performance, and Film & Media. Our goal is to synthesize from these readings a coherent intellectual attitude. Coursework will include several short quizzes, two midterms, and a final.


text: M 405 Buyer Behavior (3 cr.)P or C: M 303 for Kelley School of Business students; P or C: M 300 for non-business students. Description and explanation of consumer behavior in retail markets. Topics include demographic, socioeconomic, psychographic, attitudinal, and group influences on consumer decision making. Applications to promotion, product design, distribution, pricing, and segmentation strategies.


text:
Joe Freeman: Kahn says Batum has not yet signed an offer sheet but will Sunday at 5 p.m. eastern. Team has to wait 48 hours for Webster to clear waivers. Twitter
Joe Freeman: Kahn says Batum has not yet signed an offer sheet but will Sunday at 5 p.m. eastern. Team has to wait 48 hours for Webster to clear waivers. Twitter
Not sure if it was reported yet, but Minnesota just waived Martel Webster...veteran shooter that happens to play SF. Under rated player too.
I think we should do a 5 year 50 million dollar deal for Rasual Butler.
@ESPNSteinLine Marc Stein
RT @daldridgetnt: Charlotte's winning bid for Haywood, per league source, was $2.05M
@ESPNSteinLine Marc Stein
So in today's big amnesty machinations: Bobcats claim Mavs castoff Brendan Haywood & Wolves castoff Darko Milicic now available to masses
@ESPNSteinLine Marc Stein
NBA's 30 teams also notified that Darko Milcic has cleared waivers and is now an unrestricted free agent
when do we find out if the knicks matched the offer sheet for fields?
CJ Watson to BK................................................ .................................................. .........
Looks like Fields is a Raptor now.ESPNSteinLine Marc Stein
RT @alanhahn: Meanwhile Knicks have confirmed they did not match Raptors' offer sheet to Landry Fields
I hope he'll regain the productivity he had as a rookie in Casey's system, but it was D'Antoni's fast paced system that he thrived under, not Woodson's defensive system which I would think Casey's system is closer to. End of the day we're still over paying him. Oh well, hopefully his hot girlfriend comes along.
Marc J. Spears: Jeremy Lin appears close to being a Houston Rocket with Raymond Felton to NY deal close to being done, sources tell Y! Twitter
Mark Haggard: Just got off the phone with NBA free agent Raymond Felton. He says a deal is about to be completed sending him back to the NY Knicks. Twitter
Frank Isola: The Knicks have acquired Raymond Felton and Kurt Thomas from Portland for Jared Jeffries and Dan Gadzuric, sources tell the Daily News Twitter
Marc J. Spears: Blazers will sign guard Raymond Felton to a three-year, $10 million deal and then trade him to Knicks in sign and trade, source tells Y! Twitter
http://hoopshype.com/rumors.htmDavid Aldridge: Have read the Tweets on the Knicks, Lin, Felton. What I know is as of 10 p.m, NY has NOT informed Lin they're not matching, per source. Twitter
David Aldridge: But Rockets' chances of getting Lin certainly look better than they did yesterday. They think there's a chance Knicks won't match. Twitter
Last edited by jbml; Sat Jul 14th, 2012 at 11:23 PM.
The Minnesota Timberwolves' attempt to acquire restricted free agent Nicolas Batum from the Portland Trail Blazers apparently has devolved into a grudge match -- at least for the Blazers -- that involves far more than the talented young small forward.
The Timberwolves, league sources say, are prepared to sign Batum to a four-year, $46.4 million offer sheet Sunday after repeatedly trying to trade for him. They have offered as many as three future first-round draft picks and even have dangled small forward Derrick Williams, the No. 2 pick in the 2011 draft.
The Blazers have resisted every overture even though multiple sources say Portland management believes $46.4 million is vastly more than Batum is worth.
Batum's desire to leave Portland began last winter when the Blazers offered him an extension that averaged $5 million per year, a source said. That is less than half of what Minnesota is prepared to offer now.
The Timberwolves also tried to orchestrate a deal that would have sent small forward Kyle Korver to the Blazers, along with the future first-round picks, in a three-way deal involving the Chicago Bulls. That, too, was rejected by Portland.
The Bulls agreed to trade Korver to the Atlanta Hawks as part of a three-team deal involving the Timberwolves on Friday night.
This, of course, is not the first time the Blazers and Timberwolves have had trade talks -- and that's part of the problem. Even before the battle for Batum began, the teams were working to resolve a dispute, a league source said.
The Blazers traded swingman Martell Webster to the Timberwolves in a 2010 draft-night trade for Ryan Gomes and the rights to Minnesota's No. 16 pick, Luke Babbitt. The following fall, Webster had back surgery because of a bulging disk. The Blazers were aware of the injury but did not disclose it before the trade, a league source said. The two teams since have been quietly negotiating compensatory terms but have not been able to reach an agreement.
The Timberwolves released Webster on Friday as part of a cost-cutting measure to open salary-cap room for Batum's offer sheet.
That former Blazers guard Brandon Roy has agreed to a two-year, $10 million deal with the Timberwolves also has Portland owner Paul Allen thinking Minnesota is trying to make life difficult for him, a source said.
Roy retired before last season because of degenerative knees. The Blazers still owed him $49 million over three years at the time, but an insurance policy was expected to cover a significant chunk of that. If he returns to play, however, that policy no longer can be invoked and the Blazers are back on the hook for what they owe him, minus the $10 million Minnesota will pay him, sources say. The balance due from the Blazers could be as much as $17 million, one source said.
Timberwolves president David Kahn is from Portland and once covered the team as a sportswriter for The Oregonian, but a team source insists there is no personal element coloring the Timberwolves' interest in Batum or Roy or pursuing damages for Webster. The team even offered to relax its position on Webster in exchange for dealing them Batum.
As for Roy, "He chose Minnesota, and if he weren't playing for them, he'd be playing somewhere else and Paul would still be out that money," a source said.
Neither Blazers general manager Neil Olshey nor Kahn could be reached for comment
Last edited by jbml; Sat Jul 14th, 2012 at 10:43 PM.
Across Las Vegas on Saturday, Rockets officials and couriers fanned out trying to deliver Jeremy Lins offer sheet to the Knicks in what has become an odd bit of NBA front office hide and seek.
Handing over the paper work has proved as difficult as reaching a deal to land Dwight Howard.
The Rockets have tried to deliver the offer sheet to the Knicks since Friday afternoon, but they had eluded their efforts, holding up the start of the three-day clock to match the offer or let Lin go to the Rockets, according to a person familiar with the process.
The Rockets had called and asked where they could deliver the offer sheet but were told that information would not be shared. By Friday evening, a courier called the hotel room of a Knicks official but did not get an answer. Roughly 30 minutes later, a front desk clerk reached him but was told the Knicks were not taking deliveries and that he would not come to the front desk to pick up a package.
The Rockets sent representatives to the Knicks practice on Friday and to the game on Saturday but could not find Knicks general manager Glen Grunwald.
The offer sheet was FedExed to the Knicks New York office and will have the receipt forwarded to the league office, but league officials said that until it can be shown that the Knicks have the offer sheet in hand, the clock on the Knicks three-day period to match would not begin.
The gamesmanship, though unusual, will not last. Having the offer sheet in the Knicks New York office will eventually suffice. It is expected that in time it would be delivered in Las Vegas. But for more than 24 hours, the Rockets have been unable to connect on what is normally an easy pass.
Jose would be a great backup for the Raptors. However if he is traded, I don't think free agency will be the place to obtain a backup.
Here is the list of free agent PGs from HoopsWorld.com. Only the bold remain available:
Deron Williams, Brooklyn Nets $16.4 million Player Option ($17.8 million)
Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns $11.7 million Unrestricted
Aaron Brooks, Phoenix Suns $2.0 million Restricted ($3.0 million Qualifying Offer)
Raymond Felton, Portland Trail Blazers $7.6 million Unrestricted
Kirk Hinrich, Atlanta Hawks $8.0 million Unrestricted
Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks $8.6 million Unrestricted
Andre Miller, Denver Nuggets $7.8 million Unrestricted
Chauncey Billups, L.A. Clippers $2.0 million Unrestricted
Jameer Nelson, Orlando Magic $7.8 million Player Option ($7.8 million)
D.J. Augustin, Charlotte Bobcats $3.2 million Restricted ($4.4 million Qualifying Offer)
Jason Terry, Dallas Mavericks $10.7 million Unrestricted
George Hill, Indiana Pacers $2.1 million Restricted ($3.1 million Qualifying Offer)
Jordan Farmar, Brooklyn Nets $4.0 million Player Option ($4.3 million)
Leandro Barbosa, Indiana Pacers $7.6 million Unrestricted
Goran Dragic, Houston Rockets $2.1 million Unrestricted
Jerryd Bayless, Toronto Raptors $3.0 million Restricted ($4.2 million Qualifying Offer)
Derek Fisher, Oklahoma City Thunder $3.4 million Unrestricted
Randy Foye, L.A. Clippers $4.3 million Unrestricted
Mo Williams, L.A. Clippers $8.5 million Player Option ($8.5 million)
Jonny Flynn, Portland Trail Blazers $3.4 million Unrestricted
Keyon Dooling, Boston Celtics $2.2 million Unrestricted
Ishmael Smith, Orlando Magic $0.5 million Unrestricted*
Ramon Sessions, L.A. Lakers $4.3 million Player Option ($4.6 million)
Jeremy Lin, New York Knicks $0.8 million Unrestricted*
Sundiata Gaines, Brooklyn Nets $0.9 million Unrestricted*
A.J. Price, Indiana Pacers $0.9 million Unrestricted*
Baron Davis, New York Knicks $1.3 million Unrestricted
Royal Ivey, Oklahoma City Thunder $1.2 million Unrestricted
John Lucas, Chicago Bulls $0.9 million Unrestricted
Gilbert Arenas, Memphis Grizzlies $0.4 million Unrestricted
Jannero Pargo, Atlanta Hawks $1.1 million Unrestricted
Delonte West, Dallas Mavericks $1.1 million Unrestricted
Walker Russell, Jr., Detroit Pistons $0.4 million Unrestricted*
Darius Morris, L.A. Lakers $0.5 million Unrestricted*
Terrell Harris, Miami HEAT $0.5 million Unrestricted*
Carldell Johnson, New Orleans Hornets $0.5 million Unrestricted*
Ronnie Price, Phoenix Suns $1.1 million Unrestricted
T.J. Ford, Golden State Warriors $1.1 million Unrestricted
Anthony Carter, Toronto Raptors $1.3 million Unrestricted
Roger Mason, Washington Wizards $1.1 million Unrestricted
Jamaal Tinsley, Utah Jazz $1.2 million Team Option ($1.3 million)
Donald Sloan, Cleveland Cavaliers $0.2 million Unrestricted*
Manny Harris, Cleveland Cavaliers $0.4 million Unrestricted*
Patty Mills, San Antonio Spurs $0.3 million Unrestricted*
Courtney Fortson, Houston Rockets $0.2 million Unrestricted*
Mike James, Chicago Bulls $0.6 million Unrestricted
Jerome Dyson, New Orleans Hornets $0.1 million Unrestricted*
Ben Uzoh, Toronto Raptors $0.2 million Unrestricted*
Armon Johnson, Brooklyn Nets $0.1 million Unrestricted*
Earl Boykins, Houston Rockets $0.2 million Unrestricted
Blake Ahearn, Utah Jazz $0.1 million Unrestricted*
Obviously most at the bottom are totally useless which is why they are still available. No doubt there are 3rd string PG's available (Uzoh!) but a backup? I don't think so.
If Jose is dealt, the best hope for a backup is a PG coming back.
Jordan farmar
Johnny Flynn
John Lucas
Randy foye
Roger mason
There's a few others like arenas? Fisher and Davis but I imagine those guys will be looking for contenders. I'd say barbosa but he's more of a 2 guard.
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text:
Dreamy Chevron Banner (Party Decor)
Sweet chic! Welcome baby in style with this customizable banner. Choose your embellishment, colors and title. Print, trim, and decorate. Coordinates with our Dreamy Chevron invite and party decor.
Great for: a baby shower, party decorations, printing 8x10
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Whether you want to drop a photo into an everyday greeting, put together a slideshow for your sports team, or create a special holiday keepsake book, the result is professional and one-of-a-kind.
And Smilebox gives you more ways to share: Facebook, email, blog, printing at home or to a store, and burning to DVD. Smilebox makes sharing photos with your family and friends easy, unique and memorable.


text:
Chloe Carmichael, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
230 Park Ave, 10th floor, New York, New York
Dr. Chloe Carmichael offers a professional approach for positive change. In a non-judgmental and supportive environment, move forward from old patterns and develop productive, positive new habits. If you can't make it to the NYC office, try www.AnxietyWebinar.com.
Susan Galperin, LCSW LCADC SAP
725 River Road Suite 102A, Edgewater, New Jersey
I am a licensed clinical social worker offering individualized services including consultation, individual, marriage and family therapy. I have 28 years working with adolescents and adults with issues that impact upon their lives. See susangalperin.com
Edward Pino, M.S. NCC, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
610 West 115th street PH, New York, New York
Psychotherapy that works
Angela Monti Fox, LCSW, MS,PC
Angela Monti Fox, Licensed Mental Health Professional
276 Riverside Drive (100 Street), New York, New York
As a practicing psychotherapist for many years, I have a wide range of experience with many emotional and behavioral concerns. In my practice, I provide a safe, sensitive environment for personal growth and healing.
Lauren Levy, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
1623 Third Avenue Suite 202, , New York, New York
I have been providing psychotherapy for individuals, couples and groups for the past 20 years. My mission is to provide a safe place where you can talk about the challenges or obstacles in your life that prevent you from reaching your personal and professional goals.
Adam Jacobson, LCSW, MSOD
420 West End Avenue (80th Street), New York, New York
My approach depends on the patient with whom I am working, but a belief I always hold is that people heal and change when they cultivate a healthy internal voice that can guide them through the challenges of their past, present, and future.
Helen Borel, RN,MFA,PhD
PsychoTherapist and PsychoAnalyst
200 West 79th Street - Apt. 9L, Manhattan, New York
Hello. I'm Dr. Helen. Relax in my Warm, Compassionate Care. The Complete focus is on You, Your Life Experiences, What You're going through. Swift, Interactive Feedback and Life-Changing Behavior Prescriptions assure You Rapid shifts from pain to emotional relief.
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I am a compassionate psychotherapist committed to helping you overcome psychological obstacles and find the resources within yourself to achieve your true potential, accomplish personal and professional goals and live a life worth celebrating.
Nikki DiFranks, PhD, MA, MS, LCSW-R
Dr. Nikki Nelson DiFranks
1841 Broadway, Suite 700, New York City, New York
I am a PhD Licensed Clinical Social Worker with nearly thirty years of experience working with individuals, couples and groups. My experience ranges from serious persistent mental illness to personality disorders. Visit my website at http://nelsonworks.net for more.
Fabiana Franco, Ph.D. LLC
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When seeking a therapist, the primary considerations must be finding someone with whom you can discuss anything, and who possesses the empathy and insight to empower you. It is an investment in living a fulfilling life; nothing is more valuable.
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Grey Matters Intl & Dr. Kevin Fleming(cited expert for NY Times, CNN, Fortune, Sporting News)is all about bold thinking & neuroscience innovation in getting mood/behavior change when shrinking,feel good self-help, and pills aren't cutting it. Indiv/couples/family.
10030 is a zip code located in New York County and part of New York, New York. It has a land area of 0.279 square miles.  The population of 10030 is 26,999 people.


text:
Stoned Guy Steals Ambulance from House Fire
Marijuana is an odd drug! Sometimes when you're stoned you fall asleep in the middle of taking a bite of a cookie. And then sometimes you steal an ambulance from outside a house fire at 4 a.m. and drive across your neighbors' lawns.
Travis Ward, 28, was arrested in Phoenix over the weekend for being (and doing) the latter, having jacked an ambulance that was left running on the street as firefighters fought off a "raging blaze at a home in west Phoenix." He managed to go "a few blocks" (apparently across lawns and through, literally, a stop sign) before ending by "plowing into a house."
Luckily, no one was hurt, either in the fire or the early-morning road trip. The ambulance, according to Fire Captain Troy Caskey, was "wrecked." Just like Mr. Ward!


text:
Smoke signals
By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com
• Indians No. 3 starter Brett Myers, who was signed to a one-year contract worth $8 million over the winter, has gone 1-3 with an 11.25 ERA in five Cactus League outings this spring. Tribe manager Terry Francona has said numerous times that he is not worried about Myers' showing.
"When a guy is a veteran," Francona said, "has a baseball card, you put more into, 'As long as his velocity is still there,' and, 'he's healthy,' and things like that. I mean, I'd love to see everybody, every time they go out, get hits and pitch well. When next Tuesday comes, nobody will remember Spring Training ERAs or batting averages."
• Francona noted Tuesday that All-Star shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, who has missed the past three games with a back injury, would likely resume hitting on Wednesday. Cabrera is unlikely to return to a game until Thursday at the earliest.
• The Indians have altered their probable starter for Wednesday's spring game against the White Sox. Right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka will get the nod in a road game against Chicago and right-hander Carlos Carrasco will pitch in a Minor League game.
Quote to note:
"When I think of Cleveland, I think of the mid-'90s. Those are the thoughts that I have. Hopefully, we can get back there. I know there's a buzz in the air back in Cleveland, and I know all the fans that have come out over the break to get away from the weather are excited. I'm excited that they're excited. They should be. It's going to be fun this year."
--Indians designated hitter Jason Giambi
Dice-K, Capps ink Minor League deals with Tribe
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Indians' goal of keeping Daisuke Matsuzaka and Matt Capps came to fruition Tuesday, when the club signed both pitchers to Minor League contracts. The right-handers will remain in Major League camp through Saturday.
Cleveland initially signed Matsuzaka and Capps to Minor League contracts this offseason, but released the pitchers earlier this week after informing them that they would not make the Opening Day roster. By releasing and re-signing the players, the Indians avoid paying them each a $100,000 retention bonus.
The Indians are hoping Matsuzaka in particular can help fortify the team's rotation depth.
"Dice-K, I tried to remind him of this yesterday," Indians manager Terry Francona said on Tuesday. "He's two years removed now from Tommy John. There's no reason he can't be the Dice-K that won 18 games. He just needs some repitition and some confidence, and he's got to remember who he is. I know when he used to take the ball and take the mound, he always felt like he was going to win. He needs to get that back."
Cleveland's rotation for the start of the season will include Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jimenez, Zach McAllister and Scott Kazmir. Matsuzaka will join rotation candidates Carlos Carrasco, Trevor Bauer and Corey Kluber at Triple-A Columbus.
Matsuzaka went a combined 33-15 with a 3.72 ERA in 61 outings between the 2007-08 seasons for the Red Sox, who were managed by Francona. Since that strong start, Matsuzaka has endured inconsistent results and injury. He has gone 17-22 with a 5.53 ERA over the past four seasons (296 innings) and underwent Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow in June 2011.
Capps, 29, has a wealth of late-inning experience in the Majors, but is coming off an injury-shortened season with Minnesota. In 30 games in 2012, the right-hander posted a 3.68 ERA with 14 saves, 18 strikeouts and only four walks in 29 1/3 innings. In the second half, however, Capps had two stints on the disabled list due to a right rotator cuff injury.
Over parts of eight seasons in the big leagues, Capps has posted a 3.52 ERA with 138 saves in 444 appearances between tours with the Pirates, Nationals and Twins. His best season came in 2010, when he posted a 2.47 ERA and saved 42 games in 74 combined outings for Washington and Minnesota.
"I'm glad. I was hoping that would happen," Francona said of re-signing Capps. "Matt Capps has continued to get better. He's been a really good professional reliever for a long time. I think the way the Spring Training progressed, we had him behind some guys. That doesn't mean he can't pitch in the big leagues. Selfishly, I'm glad he stayed with us."
Giambi happy with role on Indians
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- After learning he was going to be a part of the Indians' bench this season, veteran Jason Giambi could not help himself. He walked over to Chris Antonetti and gave Cleveland's general manager a hug.
"I'm truly, truly excited and fired up," Giambi said on Tuesday morning. "I have to admit, I gave Chris a hug afterward. I was totally excited."
There is a catch, though.
The 42-year-old Giambi will begin this season on the 15-day disabled list due to what the team is calling a lower back strain. The issue is not considered serious and both the Indians and Giambi are confident that the aging slugger will be ready to be activated when he becomes eligible on April 9.
In the meantime, Giambi will break camp with the club and spend the season's first seven games as a spectator.
"Being a little bit older, and it's the beginning of the season," Giambi said. "We just want to make sure we get out in front of this, because it's a long season. It's a long Spring Training, so it's just to kind of get off my feet a little bit and take care of it."
When Giambi does return, he will shift into a role as a part-time designated hitter and pinch-hitter for Cleveland. The presence of utility men Mike Aviles and Ryan Raburn, who can each play multiple infield spots and outfield corners, combined with a handful of regulars who can man multiple positions, makes it possible for the Indians to carry a player such as Giambi.
All spring, Indians manager Terry Francona has raved about what Giambi brings to the table.
"I don't think he needs to play every day," Francona said. "He wants to be a part of this team and contribute any way he can. That can be in a number of ways, whether it's facing a tough right-hander, or whether it's leadership in the clubhouse. Those things have a way of working out as we get into the season."
Over the past few years with the Rockies, who actually interviewed Giambi for their managerial opening over the offseason, the former American League Most Valuable Player learned how to handle a bench and leadership role. Over 211 games across the past three seasons, Giambi hit .245 with a .370 on-base percentage, 20 home runs, 72 walks and 75 RBIs.
"I really came to love that role when I was in Denver," Giambi said. "I really believe that's how you pass the game on. I'll get some at-bats here and there. I'm just happy I don't have to hit in the ninth all the time against somebody throwing 100 mph. I might get a few at-bats in a DH role."
McGuiness hoping to stick around with Tribe
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Chris McGuiness' baseball life is currently in limbo. The Minor League first baseman has been in camp with the Indians all spring as a Rule 5 Draft pick, but it remains unknown whether Cleveland will be able to keep him in its farm system.
McGuiness is currently exposed to waivers and can be claimed by any team through Wednesday afternoon. If he clears waivers, the Indians must offer him back to the Rangers for $25,000, or attempt to work out a deal to keep the first baseman in the fold.
"I'd love to stay here," McGuiness said. "I like the coaching staff and from the Minor Leagues up to [manager Terry] Francona, everyone's been really good. I just want to play somewhere. I'm just ready to get into a routine and find a team that I'm going to be with for a while. I want to go get the at-bats and start building."
In December, Cleveland spent $50,000 to select the 24-year-old McGuiness from Texas during the Rule 5 Draft. Players added in that manner must remain on the acquiring team's 25-man roster all season, or be offered back to the original club at half the cost.
It became increasingly clear this spring that McGuiness -- with no career at-bats above Double-A -- was not going to make the Indians' Opening Day roster. He was still thrown into plenty of Cactus League contests, but McGuiness only hit .195 (8-for-41) in the 24 games he played through Monday.
"I couldn't ask for anything else," McGuiness said of his playing time. "I was in there every day. I got 40 at-bats. You couldn't have asked for more chances. I started a few games. The chances were there. I just couldn't really get into a groove. I couldn't find a rhythm, but that's part of baseball. It goes and comes. It's one of those springs."
Last season, McGuiness hit .268 with 23 home runs, 25 doubles and 77 RBIs in 123 games for Double-A Frisco in the Rangers' system. He was then named the Most Valuable Player of the Arizona Fall League after hitting .283 with four homers and 27 RBIs in 25 games for Surprise in the offseason.
"I've said it before, I wish he wasn't a Rule 5," Francona said. "It's hard for a position player to skip Triple-A and come to the big leagues. It's not altogether fair to expect them to be able to put up numbers. There's so much to like about him.
"I don't know if it's going to work or not -- if we could keep him -- but I wish we could. I don't know how that's going to work. I know [GM Chris Antonetti] is going to try."
McGuiness is just ready to know one way or another.
"Spring Training has kind of been a whirlwind," he said. "I'm ready for this season to start, wherever it may be, and go from there."
Jordan Bastian is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Major League Bastian, and follow him on Twitter @MLBastian. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Navman S30 satnav
Cheerful as well as cheap
Review With everyone from Alpine to Via Michelin offering standalone satellite navigation kit, should you bother with a competitively-priced, lower-end offering from an established brand name? We hit the streets with the entry-level Navman S30 to find out.
The S30 is at the very bottom of Navman's new S series and comes in at an affordable RRP of £149, although it goes without saying a bit of judicious internet shopping can find the product at an even more attractive £130.
Navman's S30: completely redesigned
It's not the thinnest satnav on the market but at 20mm thick it is slim. And it doesn't look bad in its black and grey plastic livery. Put it this way, there's nothing to fall out with as far as the appearance goes.
Navman claims the S series has been completely redesigned from the inside out, following extensive research and input from its customers. This will be welcome news for folk dissatisfied with Navman's previous products, which were be sometimes slow and a little fiddly to use.
The windshield mount is robust
Still, £150 isn't chump-change in the increasingly competitive satnav market, so what do you get for your money? In the box, you get the S30 with its 3.5in touchscreen; a windshield mount that works on a clip-down sucker that we'd definitely describe as robust; a cigarette-lighter power cord; a cloth case that will offer only the flimsiest protection; a mini USB cable for PC hook-up; a slim quick start guide; a seriously hefty "Legal Information" booklet; and, finally, a DVD-ROM that holds the NavDesk desktop software and global map data.
Sponsored: Minds Mastering Machines - Call for papers now open


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Utah Recognized as the Best Managed State in the Nation
Utah Receives Highest Grade in National State Management Report Card
The State of Utah has been named the best managed state in the nation, based on the most authoritative and respected review of States, the Pew Center on States' 2008 report. Utah's top spot with the highest grade point average is an improvement over the State's previous No. 2 ranking.
"Utah taxpayers are definitely getting the best bang for their buck," Governor Huntsman said. "We continue to work like never before to cross boundaries in state government to create an infrastructure that is effective and efficient."
Utah received the only solid 'A' in money management, thanks to a cooperative and proactive approach in dealing with state financial issues.
"Utah is a very good example of a state whose strong focus on making sound financial decisions is paying dividends for its citizens," said Susan Urahn, managing director of the Pew Center on the States, of which the Grading Performance Project is a part. "Utah is thinking about the future in all its decisions-from the maintenance of state-owned buildings to its employees' post-retirement health care-all to ensure that the state's critical work for the public gets done."
"This honor isn't based on a single decision, but a culture of fiscal responsibility and prudent innovation, said Senate President John Valentine. "It's the boring work that pays the bills. Utah's officials work quietly but diligently to maintain a standard of excellence and it's nice to see the state get some recognition for those efforts. Top notch fiscal management is a team effort."
"We work well together between the legislative and executive branch and there is a spirit of cooperation," said House Speaker Greg Curtis. "We strive to do what's best for the citizens of the State of Utah."
Utah was also recognized for its performance management. The State's recent balance scorecard initiative and performance website, http://performance.utah.gov, promote continuous improvement and greater transparency in state government.
The Grading the States 2008 Report's findings are developed in partnership with Governing Magazine.
Source: http://www.utah.gov/governor/news/2008/news_03_03_08.html


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A wet and memorable Fourth in Brattleboro
Photo Gallery | Brattleboro Fourth of July Parade 2014
BRATTLEBORO -- Given the rain falling early Friday morning, it seemed appropriate that members of Brattleboro's Free and Accepted Masons Lodge No. 102 were about to board a ship.
"We figured we'd come prepared with a boat," quipped Robert Baldauf, pointing to a parade-float trailer adorned with flags, cannons fashioned from black plastic pipe and a bedsheet sail.
Added Baldauf, a Masons district deputy grand master: "She's not quite watertight yet."
That summed up the spirit of those who braved a cool, wet morning to line up for the 41st annual Brattleboro Goes Fourth parade. Though the weather cut the size of the parade by roughly a third, marchers and volunteers still turned out en masse to ensure that Independence Day didn't pass by without fire engines, marching bands and waving flags.
"The weather won't stop people, I don't think. People love a parade," said Chip Cummings as he stood on Atwood Street, waving parade units into place.
Clutching a coffee and a limp, wet copy of the parade lineup, Cummings was among a group of volunteers tasked with controlling the chaos of organizing a large-scale parade.
A bit earlier, before 9 a.m., organizer Kevin O'Connor held an umbrella in a still-empty student parking lot outside Brattleboro Union High School. It was the start of a long day, with the parade to be followed by a full slate of events at Living Memorial Park and, in the evening, a fireworks display.
"We had volunteers out as early as 6 (a.m.) putting out cones and barricades. And we'll have people at the park cleaning up afterward," O'Connor said. "It really is a 6 in the morning until 11 o'clock, midnight kind of day."
He noted that, on a nice day, there would have been marchers already lining up for the 10 a.m. parade. But he knew that a rush was coming at some point.
"There's a certain moment where it just gets crazy," O'Connor said with a laugh. "Everybody shows up, and everybody has the same question: 'Where are we supposed to be?'"
On Atwood Street, the early arrivals included Vickie Freckleton and her granddaughter, 6-year-old Shaeleigh Willard. Freckleton, a Colorado resident, traveled a bit farther than the average parade participant.
"I came all the way here to be in the parade with her," she said, gesturing toward a beaming Shaeleigh.
They also had a common cause: Freckleton's son and Shaeleigh's father is Sgt. Ryan Willard, a Brattleboro native who served three tours in Iraq and has since retired from the military.
"We're going to do it for dad," Freckleton said. "We've had so many sacrifice their lives to keep our country safe. It's an important thing to honor them."
A short distance down the street, members of the Brattleboro American Legion Band were arriving and beginning to warm up.
"We've marched in worse conditions," said the band's manager, Bill Wessel.
He recalled a parade postponed in North Carolina due to lightning -- not a safe environment for marchers carrying metal horns and flags. But on Friday, the only precautions needed were protective plastic coverings for moisture-sensitive instruments.
"She's got a clarinet in a bag," Wessel said, gesturing to a nearby band member.
Wessel proudly mentioned that the Brattleboro outfit is "the only Legion band in the state of Vermont." And he noted that nearly 30 members were participating in the parade.
"It's become a tradition in Brattleboro," Wessel said.
Back down in the high-school parking lot, about 30 minutes before the parade, the Masons prepared their admittedly rough approximation of the USS Ranger, a Continental Navy ship that launched in 1777 under Capt. John Paul Jones -- himself a Mason.
Behind them was a Thompson House bus decked with patriotic colors, followed by a minivan from Vernon Advent Christian Home. Noticing a group of wanderers nearby, O'Connor called out, "Brattleboro VFW? Follow me."
Nearby, 35 members of the Brattleboro Union High School Band stood in the rain.
"Remember, it could be 90 degrees," band Director Steve Rice told them.
At 10 a.m. sharp, the parade pulled out, heading up Fairground Road toward Canal Street led by police cruisers.
Just before the start, the parade got a bit shorter when three Brattleboro Fire Department trucks with emergency lights on quickly departed.
"They took all of the trucks that they had in the parade to three separate calls," O'Connor noted later. "They put their coats and water-proof pants over their dress uniforms."
One of the Brattleboro units, however, was able to reconnect with the end of the parade after handling a call on Birge Street. O'Connor also reported that a miscommunication on Canal Street led to a delay in the parade's progress, but it was resolved relatively quickly.
O'Connor added words of thanks to those who donated money to help pay for next year's parade.
"The whole thing ultimately went off without a hitch," he said. "It actually was memorable in a good way."
Mike Faher can be reached at email@example.com or 802-254-2311, ext. 275.
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.


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The Phils decide not to make a Rule 5 pick this post-season.
This post-season, for the first time since 2005, the Phils decided not to make a pick in the Rule 5 draft, as the organization this year did not see anyone in the minor league farm systems that were left unprotected by the other 29 major league teams that they thought would make an immediate impact on the main club.
While they did not make any pick ups, the Phils lost four players in their minor league system, with three of them being taken in the minor league portion of the draft. The four are right-handed pitcher Lenny Castillo, who was picked up by the Cubs from the Phils' Class A Lakewood team, where, in 2011, he went 4-2 with a 2.54 ERA. Castillo, who was selected in the Major League portion of the draft, will now have to remain on the Cubs' roster for the 2012 season, unless the Cubs offer him back to the Phils if he doesn't make it through spring training. In the Minor League phase, the Phils lost left-hander Andrew Loomis to the Orioles, shortstop Travis Mattair to the Reds and catcher Francisco Diaz to the Pirates.
With the Phils not picking up a player through the draft, it means that they will not have to reserve a spot on the regular season 25 man roster for 2012, and I, personally, am glad, since it means that all of the positions can only be filled by those who had either been on the team in the previous season, picked up by the team via free agency or trades during the present off-season or are already in the Phils' minor league system.
Okay guys, lets see if we can now nail down Jimmy Rollins to a contract.


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He cheated via email
Hi Meredith,
I've been dating this guy for 2.5 years. I love him. We're long distance (he's in NY), but we see each other pretty regularly and talk every day. He's never been great at communicating about the big things, but he makes an effort when he knows that something is important to me. He deployed to Afghanistan in the winter and we did a lot of Skype, phone calls, and e-mails.
Our biggest problem before he left was the distance. He had said he would move to Boston but hadn't taken any steps toward doing it. We put the issue "on hold" until he came back.
He will be back very soon. We had a week of fun Boston activities planned along with lots of down time to just be together at my place. But recently I was looking for an email address (he had given me his password) for a friend of his to see if we could set up a party for him in NY when I saw a bunch of emails between him and someone I didn't recognize. I opened the most recent one and I've been a mess since. These emails were recent (the last one being 5 days ago) and very sexually explicit. He was telling her that he wished that he could be there so they could spend a day in bed together. He said he wanted to admire her body and see if they were sexually compatible.
I didn't see this coming at all. I dug around and figured out that she was in a wedding he was in back in August (I couldn't attend). Their emails were infrequent and normal at first. She mentioned her 4" heels and it exploded from there. From what I can tell (and I feel pretty sure), there hasn't been anything physical yet. She is supposed to go out with him and a group of friends in NY shortly after he is back.
Although there hasn't been any physical cheating, the fact that he would even send these emails has me clearly not trusting him at all. He has no idea I know. I feel so dumb for not seeing this, but I still don't see any of the warning signs. We have a lot of fun when we're together and he's great about letting me know I'm on his mind and talking to me frequently. We see each other about every other weekend and have had some great vacations together. I don't understand why this happened.
I don't know what my next steps should be. I need to confront him, so I will be picking him up at the airport, but we will not be coming back to my house. I booked a hotel room near the airport for one night and we will be going there so I can leave if I need to. I want to be strong on this one and leave him, but I love him. He just told me yesterday how much I'm a light in his life and that he wants to spend the rest of his life with me.
Is this something we can recover from? How can the trust be built back up? I feel like the only way is if he moves here immediately and I have access to his emails/accounts/no guys' nights, etc. and that seems extreme to me and not the person I want to be. Is there a healthy way to recover with him living in NY? Is it worth it? Should I just let this go?
– Want To Be Strong, Boston Boston
If monitoring his life is the only way that you can feel safe after this betrayal, this isn't going to work, WTBS. You can't become that person. What's the point?
Your guy is pursuing a sexual relationship with someone who knows his mutual friends. He has plans to see her. He's been intimate with her in emails.
It's a cheat. A big one. I'm frightened by his ability to compartmentalize. I'm glad you feel the same way.
You know what you have to do. Just be prepared, because when you confront him he's going to have a million excuses. He's going to say many perfect things. It's going to be difficult to stay strong. Just imagine him admiring someone else's body. Then walk out the door and go straight to a friend's house.
Keep yourself surrounded. You're going to need a lot of support.
Please know that this is not your fault. You didn't miss warning signs. This guy made a commitment to you before he was ready. He wanted the benefits of a serious partnership without the rules that come with it. He lied. That's his issue, not yours.
Readers? Any hope for these two? What was he doing? Should she hear him out? How can she stay strong when he shows up? Is the whole Afghanistan thing relevant? Did he want to get caught? Help.
– Meredith


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Quote:Hello Itami:What possible value would this "club" be? Train period... why on earth need a seperate group for doing what you are supposed to do normally? Jeff
Quote:Are you saying that those that pay good money for training BUT can't afford to pay extra--or can't afford the time--get LESS quality training/instuction???
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Russellville attorney Keith Coker is attempting to unseat Pope County District Judge Don Bourne, a contest that will attract voters from throughout the county.
Early voting is already under way at the Pope County Courthouse, with the election to take place on Tuesday.
A former deputy prosecuting attorney, Bourne was selected by a Democratic caucus in 2001 to replace Dennis Sutterfield, who resigned after he was elected as circuit judge. At that time, judges ran as part of a political group, although state law now requires them to run independently.
Bourne was Russellville's city attorney and previously served as the former district prosecutor John Bynum's chief deputy prosecutor to before he was selected as district judge.
Coker, the brother of Circuit Judge Ken Coker, is also a lay pastor and elder at Central Presbyterian Church. He has practiced law in Russellville for more than a decade, handling a variety of cases.
The two candidates were asked a group of questions concerning the position and their views on specific aspects of the job:
1. Beyond the hearing of criminal, civil and small claims cases, define the role, as you see it, of the Pope County District Judge.
Bourne: "As district judge, I also hold bond hearings for felony prisoners every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Since I go to the jail for hearings, this frees up the circuit judges' time, and the police and sheriff do not have to transport the prisoners. Not having to transport prisoners results in a great savings for the city and county, and the community is safer since the prisoners never leave the jail.
"I believe the district court judge should be a leader in the community. I have been a leader, by serving in the local Bar Association for many years, and serving as president of the Pope County Bar Association a few years ago.
"A judge can further lead in the community in his church. I have been active in my church in many ways, including working with the youth pastor with my son's middle school class on Wednesday nights.
"I am further active in the community by serving in the Russellville Lions Club. As a member of that club, I help with the service projects and line up speakers for the club.
"I especially believe a judge should lead in community education. As District Judge, I oversee the Criminal Law Education Program for fourth-grade classes in the Russellville School District. In that program, students have an attorney visit their classroom, and then the students travel to the courtroom to observe court and ask the judge questions. The students then travel to the jail to see how prisoners are housed. Any fourth-grade teacher in the Russellville School District can tell the voters of the value of this program.
"I am hoping to expand the court's education efforts into the junior high schools of Pope County. We held a drug/alcohol abuse education program for the ninth-grade students in April at the Russellville Junior High School, and if things proceed as planned, we can expand that to schools in Atkins, Pottsville, Dover and Hector in the future. My goal and the school's goal is to educate students so they can avoid participation in the criminal justice system as they grow older.
"I believe a judge should lead by example, every day, everywhere he goes, and he/she should follow the Golden Rule by treating others as he would be treated."
Coker: "The Pope County District Judge also hears bond hearings and some search warrants for the circuit courts. However, I think the question asked is more comprehensive than just 'nuts and bolts.' The Pope County District Judge is first a judge and, as such, must be a role model for the community. Even the appearance of bias or impropriety should be avoided. The Pope County District Judge is also an educator. For many people, a day in district court is their only personal contact with the court system, so that encounter can shape that person's view of the court system and our government as a whole.
"A good judge, therefore, sees to it that the operation of the court, the demeanor of the judge and an atmosphere of professionalism all work together to reinforce respect for, belief in and support of our court system. Anything less is a disservice to the community."
2. The District Court typically hears most driving while intoxicated trials in the county. Are present punishments adequate to deter drunk driving in the community? If so, explain how. If not, how would you change the system?
Bourne: "Driving while intoxicated offenses are a problem now in Pope County. While I served as chief deputy prosecutor from 1987 to 1992 and as city prosecutor from 1987 to 2000, DWIs were a problem. DWIs are a problem statewide and nationwide.
"As judge, I speak personally to each person convicted of DWI. Each one must pay a substantial fine - $750 first offense, $1,500 second offense, $2,500 third offense. Second offense defendants normally must serve 10 days in jail, and third offense defendants normally serve 90 days in jail. After the third offense, the crime is charged as a felony.
"Persons convicted are also required to attend an alcohol education class and their driver's license is suspended. They are normally placed on supervised probation and often must attend defensive driving school. I ask each defendant if the punishment, expense and embarrassment of the conviction has taught them a lesson, and I warn each one not to become a repeat offender unless they want greater punishment.
"When the defendant causes property damage or personal injury while driving while intoxicated, I normally require additional jail time in an amount appropriate to match the harm caused by the damage/injury.
"No one has the magic answer for the DWI problem. That is why education, especially for young people, is so very important. Each time I encounter a DWI defendant, I have an opportunity to change his/her behavior in the future. I make that effort with each one.
"As deputy prosecutor for six years, city attorney for 14 years and judge for three years and four months, I have prosecuted or presided over thousands of DWI cases. That is a substantial level of experience that I bring to bear on this problem."
Coker: "DWI is a serious problem in our country and here in Pope County. The punishment in place for DWI convictions are adequate deterrents to most drivers. The penalties now include automatic suspension of all vehicle registrations upon arrest for a second or higher offense. The jail time and fines are on a level with the seriousness of the offense.
"However, the problem is not with 'most' drivers. A very small percentage of drivers get arrested for multiple DWIs. Multiple offenders have a high probability of having a drinking problem to the point of addiction. The numbers are even higher for those arrested for a third offense, and so on.
"For the driver with an addition problem, no punishment will deter them from drinking and driving. For those people, only extensive voluntary treatment or complete separation from the opportunity to drink and drive will keep them from re-offending. Sometimes that means jail, or in other cases it might mean some other form of separation or a combination of the two.
"What I would like to see change is more public education of what the penalties are for the various levels of punishment for the first, second, third and fourth convictions. There has been extensive work to inform the public about how drinking and driving accidents affect the lives of the victims of drunk driving, and that should continue. However, the penalties can only be an effective deterrent if the target audience is aware of them.
"Most drivers (and particularly young drivers) don't read the courthouse news in the newspaper where the penalties that are being applied are listed. The public needs to be better educated (through various means), about the specific punishments that offenders face."
3. What motivated you to run for District Judge?
Bourne: "I think it is natural for an attorney to desire to be a judge. In each profession there is a natural progression of advancement for persons in that profession. If a person has the right combination of education, skill and good fortune, then they can advance in a profession.
"In preparing for becoming a judge, I have put in time at other positions of responsibility as chief deputy prosecutor for six years, as city attorney and city prosecutor for 14 years, as a licensed attorney for almost 24 years. I prosecuted every week in district court for 14 years before I asked the voters to elect me as judge in 2000. I now seek re-election.
"Another factor I desire to point out is the difference in experience as prosecutor and experience as a defense lawyer. As a deputy prosecutor in circuit court, I filed hundreds of felony cases every year. As city prosecutor in district court, I tried 15 to 30 cases every week, with additional cases tried before a jury in circuit court after an appeal. Contrast that with the limited experience of a defense lawyer who may only have one case a month, or as few as two or three cases a year. That is a vast difference in the kind of experience a prosecutor gets. As city prosecutor, I tried hundreds of cases a year for 14 years.
"I ran in 2000 because I believed my training made me the most qualified candidate, and I believed I could help enforce justice in Pope County. I know I am still the most qualified candidate for district court judge, and I know I have been helping the citizens of Pope County."
Coker: "In making the decision to run, I first had to decide two things: 1. Am I fit for the job? And 2. Can I and will I do a better job than is being done now?
"In answering the first, I know that I have the knowledge and experience necessary to be a quality judge. I know that I have respect for the people and the court system. I also know that I have the demeanor and integrity to be a judge that this community can have respect for.
"Having answered those two questions, I had to decide that I wanted the job enough to hold myself out as a candidate in a public election, and to be willing to look people in the eye and tell them why they should vote for me. Campaigning can be a humbling and tiring experience, but I believe that I am the man for the job."
4. Under what circumstances should warnings be considered for those who commit traffic offenses?
Bourne: "Every case is different, but most cases fall into related categories. On minor traffic offenses, there are three or four broad categories: (1a) Young people (students), first offenders. These young people usually are required to go to defensive driving school, but do not pay a fine and the ticket does not go on their insurance record (reported to the state); (1b) Young people, repeat offenders. They usually have to pay a fine, although these defendants are more likely to get favorable treatment if accompanied by a parent; (2) Working adults. They normally must pay a fine if convicted, but may keep it off his/her insurance record if the fine is paid prior to, or on the day of court. Repeat offenders may pay increased fines; (3) Older folks (age 60-plus). They are very, very often given a warning because older people rarely commit traffic offenses and usually have clean driving records.
"When a young person with a minor traffic ticket comes to court with their mom or dad, I always ask the parent what type of outcome they desire - warning, defensive driving school, public service work or payment of a fine, or a combination of punishments. I can also suspend a driver's license for any traffic offense.
"My years of experience in dealing with traffic cases have enabled me to know which option is appropriate."
Coker: "Whatever the policy of the court is with regard to warnings or dismissals or alternative sentencing or 'second chances,' it needs to be enforced consistently. The factors to be considered are: (a) the seriousness of the offense; (b) the criminal history of the offender; (c) the impact of the offense on victims; (d) other circumstances which put the offense in context. I would try to be evenhanded in developing and implementing such a policy."
5. Until 2001, this position was a part-time position. Has the position been implemented to its full potential? If so, describe the most positive changes over the past three years. If not, what changes would you make?
Bourne: "When I was elected in the general election of November 2000, I took office Jan. 1, 2001. I asked the City Council and the Quorum Court to make the district judge's position full-time. The governing bodies agreed to my request. The city and county have greatly benefited. Court is held more often now than with a part-time judge, with speedier trials. There is no backlog of cases. Cases are set for trial 30 to 60 days after the defendant's first appearance. Speedier trials benefit the public, the defendant and the victim. Cases do not fall through the cracks due to a lack of a speedy trial.
"With a full-time judge, the city and county experience a great financial benefit because prisoners are rarely transported. With a part-time judge, prisoners were generally seen once a week at city hall. The prisoners had to be removed from their cell, shackled, loaded into a vehicle, transported with guards, unloaded, guarded in the court, seen by the judge, loaded again, transported again, unshackled and placed back in their cell. The manpower costs associated with loading, guarding and transporting prisoners was substantial. Every time a prisoner was transported, there was a risk of injury or escape.
"Since I became a full-time judge, all that trouble and expense is avoided. I go to the jail to see prisoners four days a week: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I see felony prisoners for bond hearings. I see misdemeanor prisoners for pleas or trials. Before, in the part-time system, a defendant charged with a misdemeanor could be arrested on Wednesday night and if he didn't make bond/bail, he would sit in jail until the next Tuesday before he would see the judge. That required housing and feeding a prisoner for up to six days. With a full-time judge, I see prisoners two to four times a week. Usually the defendant pleads guilty, is sentenced and is released if he/she has no other holds (felony charges or charges from other agencies). The cost of housing prisoners is greatly reduced.
"There is always room for improvement. Upon my re-election, I expect to continue to make improvements to benefit all of the citizens of Pope county. I especially intend to expand community and student education programs. I would like to expand the court's involvement with elementary and secondary students, and I would welcome greater involvement with university students."
Coker: "At this point, it's too early for me to make that judgment. If, after being in office for a while, I decided that there really wasn't enough work to require a full-time judge, I would be a bad steward of public resources if I didn't bring that to the attention of the Quorum Court and the City Council. However, as traffic increases on Pope County streets and highways, the court's caseload will continue to grow, and that will require more court resources, including continuing the full-time judgeship."


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Sam Zell Burns Boats On Shore Of New Tribune World!
Tim Rutten's last media column for the LA Times is about the purchase of the paper's parent company by Sam Zell:
[W]hen Cortés landed on the shores of the New World, he burned his ships so that his men would know that death was the only alternative to success. For the foot soldiers of American commerce — like the 20,000 Tribune employees who have been drafted into serving as Zell's co-investors — that remains true, at least in a financial sense. But American capitalism being what it is, there's always a comfortable way out for the guys at the top.
It is exactly this sort of metaphor that will make me miss Rutten, before he shuffles off to the Op-Ed page. WHO WILL BE ZELL'S DOÑA MARINA? WHOOOOO? Disclosure: Does anyone care that I'm taking some of Sam Zell's money?