text:
Collins speaks out about Valdespin incident
By Anthony DiComo / MLB.com
ST. LOUIS -- Four days after Jordany Valdespin aggravated the Pirates with his home run celebration in the waning moments of a blowout loss, Mets manager Terry Collins said that fans vilifying Valdespin do not understand the situation.
"I don't answer to fans," Collins said. "They don't play this game. They have no idea what goes on. They have no idea what goes on in there. They have absolutely no idea what it means to be a professional teammate at this level.
"I don't care what the perception is. All I know is what goes on here. I've been doing this for 42 years. I don't care what anybody on the outside thinks. I know how to get it done in the clubhouse. I've been doing it a lot longer than a lot of people."
Collins corrected a report alleging that Valdespin attempted to worm his way out of his first pinch-hit appearance the following day, in which Pirates reliever Bryan Morris plunked him with a retaliatory fastball. In reality, Collins said, Valdespin wanted only to avoid a second trip to the plate, with his forearm swelling two innings after Morris hit him.
"He was down in the dumps the other day because he got hit, and he had a tough time understanding why everybody was upset about it," Collins said. "He's better today. He's feeling better today."
Mets prospect Wheeler NY-bound for tests
ST. LOUIS -- Top prospect Zack Wheeler is heading to New York this week after all -- though not for the reason Mets fans had hoped.
Wheeler alerted Triple-A Las Vegas trainers on Monday of soreness in his right clavicle and the Mets, in what assistant general manager John Ricco termed a "conservative move," are flying him to New York for tests.
"I think we're being a little bit conservative given who it is," Ricco said.
Both Ricco and manager Terry Collins said they do not consider the injury serious, and that Wheeler should only miss one start. But it comes at a most inopportune time for Wheeler, who had turned around his rocky start to the season by going 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA, 19 strikeouts and three walks over his last three outings.
Both of the Mets' two top prospects will visit New York this week, with catcher Travis d'Arnaud also scheduled for a checkup on his fractured left foot. d'Arnaud is expected to miss at least another month.
Elbow inflammation sends Atchison to DL
ST. LOUIS -- An MRI of Scott Atchison's right elbow revealed no new structural damage, according to Mets assistant general manager John Ricco, though the team will be without Atchison's services for the immediate future.
Hoping that a week of rest and treatment will calm the inflammation in the back of his right elbow, the Mets placed Atchison on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday and recalled right-hander Collin McHugh from Triple-A Las Vegas. The numbness that Atchison felt in Monday's game was caused by a group of bone spurs in his elbow, which irritated a nerve and caused inflammation.
"I think all things being considered, that's some good news," Ricco said.
Atchison, who has been pitching with a torn elbow ligament since at least last season, opted against Tommy John surgery upon first learning of the injury last summer. He hopes to avoid surgery again, despite the presence of bone spurs.
While Atchison recovers, the Mets will replace him in the bullpen with McHugh, who posted eye-popping numbers with Las Vegas. Despite pitching regularly in one of the most hitter-friendly enclaves in all of professional baseball, McHugh produced a 2.74 ERA with 36 strikeouts and nine walks over 49 1/3 innings.
He does not believe the transition to relief work will arrest his momentum.
"Honestly, it's about preparation," McHugh said. "The better you prepare, the better chance you have of succeeding out there. And whether I'm on a starter's schedule or I'm on a reliever's schedule, it doesn't really matter. I'm prepared both ways."
Worth noting
• With Ruben Tejada struggling, Mets manager Terry Collins started utility infielder Justin Turner over Tejada at shortstop on Tuesday for the second time this season. It marked the fourth time in six games that Turner has cracked the starting lineup, with two starts at first base and one at second.
• Matt Harvey shrugged off the notion of a Sports Illustrated jinx on Tuesday, after he became the first Mets player to appear on the magazine's cover since Johan Santana in 2008. Harvey appeared under the headline: "The Dark Knight of Gotham."
• The Mets announced Tuesday that they have signed right-handed pitcher Matt Fox to a Minor League deal. A former first-round Draft pick, Fox made four big league appearances with the Twins and Red Sox in 2010. He was 1-0 with a 1.59 ERA in four starts and one relief appearance for York (Pa.) of the Atlantic League, with 18 strikeouts and three walks in 17 innings. Fox will join the rotation at Triple-A Las Vegas.
Anthony DiComo is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @AnthonyDicomo. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
It would seem the report is several months out of date. One of my modules is not listed as a FreeBSD port, but it does exist in the HTML file Module::Packaged::Generate [cpan.org] uses. Two of my modules listed are for versions that are from last year, even though again the ports list lists them at the current version.
It would also be useful to have an SQLite database that could be interrogated to find out any other interesting info.
However, it is a great starting point
Post that on module-authors. No one who matters is going to see it in the comments of this post. The point of my entry was really Eric's response.
No one who matters is going to see it in the comments of this post.
Hey... wait a minute!
You have access to fix the site?
Well no, but I continually assert the worth of my existence against a sometimes cold and unfeeling universe! Angry mutterings from the Continent don't help.

subset: commoncrawl


text: Wilson tennis fan, I have a curious question. I have two Wilson frames of the same model. However, one of the paint job is non glossy vs. the other one. To me, the glossy paint job tells me it's authentic and the non glossy one is a fake. Does everyone agree? I don't think Wilson manufactures both a glossy and a non glossy stick of the same model.


text:
1 . Construct the truth table for a 3-input odd-parity circuit: a
with three inputs and one output, where the output is 1 if and only if
an odd number of the inputs are 1.
2. Using Logisim, design and draw a schematic of a 3-input
odd-parity circuit. You may use AND,
NAND, OR, NOR, and inverter gates in your circuit.
3. If each gate in the circuit (from question 2) has a delay
of 2 ns, what is the delay of your circuit?
4. Design a circuit which takes as input a 4-bit unsigned
integer X3X2X1X0 and
outputs a 1 if and only if X > 11. You may draw the circuit
using Logisim or by hand. (Hint: what do all the input
patterns which produce a 1 output have in common?)
5. Prove that the NOR gate is universal by showing how to build the AND, OR, and NOT functions using a two-input NOR gate.
Hint: first build an inverter from a NOR gate. Then use inverters and NOR gates to construct an OR gate and to construct an AND gate. You will need DeMorgan's theorem to build the AND gate.


text:
Hosni Mubarak Calls in Sick to Interrogation About His Corrupt Regime
Hosni Mubarak had a "heart attack" just hours before he was due to be interviewed—or possibly during the interview, depending on who you ask—by prosecutors looking into how he looted the nation he ruled for 30 years.
He's like a ruthless, brutal, Egyptian George Costanza. Sadly for Mubarak, his scheduled interrogators weren't taken in: According to the Associated Press, they followed Mubarak to the hospital and continued questioning him.
[Photo via Getty Images]


text:
Am going to get the front tire replaced at only 7500 miles. Tire just showed up at my door 5 minutes ago. Need to remove the wheel. Planning on taking pics and maybe doing a DIY article.
Only question is, without having a wheel lift, if I want to do this solo, on what to use to hold the rear of the bike down to get the front wheel up to pull the axle and roll out the wheel?
Is it neccesary to pull the calipers? Have a home made tool to remove the axle itself.
I want to do this tonight, so am a little time-critical. If I can't find a safe way to do this, I'll use the buddy system.


text: Anyone want to take a chance on him? The Diamondbacks are clearly not wanting him with Connor J. at 1B and Tracy at 3B... Shawn Green in the mix as insurance with they want to put someone else in the OF. Clark at GABP= Derek Lee style resurgence in my opinion. He struggled a little to start off the season. How much would you give up for him? I would start with someone like Donoforia or Williams or both plus a prospect or two.


text:
Submit News
Hyundai, Kia Must Provide More Answers to Senate About False MPG Claims
Tiffany Kaiser
November 30, 2012 6:12 PM
Recipient E-mail
Sender E-mail
Rockefeller wants answers on how the automakers plan to reach their customers by December 14, 2012
Hyundai Motors Co. and Kia Motors are both in hot water
over exaggerated estimated gas mileage claims
, and the senate wants answers.
Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee who oversees auto issues, wants Hyundai and Kia to explain how it will reach and compensate its 900,000 customers after inflating its MPG claims.
So far, Hyundai and Kia have said they would reimburse customers and add a 15 percent premium by sending out debit cards that can be reloaded in the future. The automakers could spend over $100 million compensating for their exaggerations.
"While I believe this is a positive step, I am concerned that many affected customers may not learn about the program or may find it burdensome to participate in the program," said Rockefeller.
Rockefeller wants answers on how the automakers plan to reach these customers by December 14, 2012.
The Kia Soul got hit hard with the revised EPA ratings
Back in December 2011,
Consumer Watchdog
called on the EPA to investigate Hyundai over its fuel economy claims. Hyundai claimed that its Elantra achieved 29 MPG in the city and 40 MPG on highway. However, the organization received a higher-than-usual number of complaints that real-world mileage was in the mid-20 mpg range.
From there, the EPA investigated Hyundai for misleading mileage claims and found that the fuel economy estimates of most of its 2012-2013 models were inflated. The same goes for Kia. Both Kia and Hyundai will be lowering the fuel economy estimates on the majority of their 2012 to 2013 models after EPA testing discovered a gap between its data and what both of the companies are claiming.
Hyundai and Kia admitted to overstating the estimated fuel economy on window stickers of about 900,000 vehicles sold since late 2010. Reports show that Hyundai alone
could spend $100 million
trying to fix the fiasco.
Some of the MPG window stickers that will require a change include the Hyundai Accent and the Kia Soul ECO. The Accent had its 30/40/33 (city/highway/combined) rating drop to 28/37/31. The Kia Soul ECO saw the biggest drop of any affected model going from 27/35/30 to 24/29/26.
The Detroit News
"Folks that want porn can buy an Android phone." -- Steve Jobs
Related Articles
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Hyundai, Kia Busted for Overstating Fuel Economy Claims after EPA Probe
November 2, 2012, 8:25 AM
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December 5, 2011, 12:57 PM
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text:
Ron Dean Daugherty // Pocatello, Idaho
Ron won Best Modified Custom at the 2012 Riviera Owners Association International Meet with his 1971 Buick Riviera. He calls it the Pro-455 Heartbreaker.
Robert F. McGlynn // Oak Forest, Illinois
This 1970 Chevelle was rescued from a garage where it had been sitting for a dozen years. It was originally blue, but Robert painted it silver and added the 454 engine.
Eric Berge // Seattle, Washington
Eric said whenever he drives his T-Bucket he feels like he's in one of those hot rod B-movies from the '50s. It features a 4-inch dropped front axle.
Jack Vukoja // Melbourne, Australia
Jack's Tri-Five is originally from Rocky Mountain, Virginia. He says it's mild mechanically with a 350 and a Muncie four-speed.
Vincent Benassi // Waterford, New York
Vince bought this 1987 Buick Grand National new. It has a ton of great performance upgrades.
Dennis King // Cincinnati, Ohio
When Dennis found this 1972 Corvette it had a tired, non-numbers-matching 350. Now it has a fresh engine and aftermarket suspension.
Levi Fincher // Lorena, Texas
Levi has won numerous car shows after getting his 1968 Camaro SS back on the road last year thanks to a donor car that gave up its LS1.
Want to share your car with the whole world? Send photos and info to email@example.com


text:
Modi's sarcastic dig at Rahul Gandhi reveals yet again a mind-set that does not bode well for his national ambitions
Now that Narendra Modi has set his eyes firmly on the prime minister's job, one would have expected a degree of maturity in his public utterances. None seems to be forthcoming. With an obstinacy that defies all reason, he has uttered not a word of remorse for the horrific post-Godhra communal riots that demeaned India in the eyes of the world and shamed Indians in their own eyes. Instead, he has sought to muffle the agonised cries and whispers of the victims of the communal carnage by trumpeting his achievements as an administrator beyond compare, as a wizard of development and as the sole guardian of the interests and identity of Gujarat. To this end he has flaunted certificates about his governance skills from Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer and N. Vittal in the belief that these will serve to obliterate the memory of the mass killings. He is whistling in the dark. Some perpetrators of those murders, who were once part of Modi's inner circle, are finally behind bars. But many others are still to be dispatched there. Until that happens, dark clouds will continue to hover over his prime ministerial ambitions.
The xenophobic accents in the Gujarat chief minister's sarcastic dig at Rahul Gandhi , much like his increasingly strident regional chauvinism, are again evidence of a flawed mind-set. Time and again, the BJP has raked up the issue of Sonia Gandhi's Italian origin and every time it has come a cropper. Modi can flog that dead horse to his heart's content but he won't be able to breathe life into it. Instead of subjecting the young Congress leader's track record in public life to critical scrutiny, the chief minister has chosen to question his patriotic credentials. He has in fact the gall to suggest that Rahul's fault is that he has an Italian mother. This is a pathetic replay of the Sangh Parivar's 'Ram vs Rome' litany which the nation has rebuffed. But, much like the Bourbons, Modi will neither learn anything nor forget anything.
So, as the elections in Gujarat draw nearer, as the UPA government becomes more vulnerable after the desertion of Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool and as the prospects of a mid-term poll loom on the horizon, Modi can be trusted to heighten his rhetoric to feverish pitch. He will steadfastly refuse to shed a tear for the post-Godhra happenings but he is unlikely to direct his ire once again at Muslims. He is convinced that he has 'tamed' them. But judging by his references to Rahul Gandhi, he may well believe that whipping up xenophobia – an intense dislike of foreigners – might serve his ends. No one should be surprised if he couches his opposition to FDI in multi-brand retail in xenophobic terms. More specifically, he will find it expedient to target the United States – which has refused him a visa – and China – seen to be flexing its muscles – since companies based in these two countries are the ones that will rush to take advantage of the recent slew of proposals to boost the economy.
What might yet put a spanner in his works are convictions of his acolytes in serious cases of murder. A case in point is the decision of the CBI to name former Gujarat home minister, Amit Shah, as the prime accused in the killing of Tulsiram Prajapati. He was eliminated because he would have spilled the beans about the connivance of senior police officers, bureaucrats and politicians in the murder of Sohrabuddin Sheikh and his wife Kauser Bi in a fake encounter. Modi will obviously rubbish the CBI's move as he has done time and again in all cases in which his regime, and indeed his own role, had come under a cloud of suspicion. But once Amit Shah's trial begins, the seamier side of Modi's dispensation is certain to be exposed. He has miles to go before he can sleep without a troubled conscience.


text:
LOS ANGELES – One of the many low points of this Lakers season came a month and a half ago on a cold night in Chicago with Kobe Bryant shooting bricks and Dwight Howard complaining about not getting to shoot anything.
Bryant, Howard and the Lakers played the Bulls again on Sunday and showed how much things have warmed up since then.
The Lakers beat the Bulls, 90-81, with another titanic Howard defensive effort meaning Bryant didn't have to carry an insane offensive load with late-game pyrotechnics for a third consecutive game.
With the victory, the Lakers moved past Utah into the eighth and final Western Conference playoff slot by a half-game.
Since being 17-25 on Jan. 23, the Lakers have gone 16-6.
Howard's commitment to defensive excellence and dirty work such as setting screens on offense has been huge in the turnaround. After delivering 16 points, 21 rebounds and four blocks, Howard said his improved conditioning is driving improved activity and dared say about the Lakers' NBA title aspirations: "We have a great shot."
One game after an impressed Howard said the fourth quarter was "Kobe time" and serenaded his teammate by humming "Bad to the Bone" for him, Bryant produced 19 points, nine assists and seven rebounds – not forcing too much against Tom Thibodeau's stacked Bulls defense.
Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni has been encouraged by how Bryant and Howard have run pick-and-roll offense together recently, saying: "A little bit of chemistry is developing."
Bryant had at least 40 points and 12 assists the previous two games. The last NBA player to do so: Michael Jordan, 24 years ago. So that means Jordan had his consecutive 40-point/12-assist games when he had just turned 26 in his fifth NBA season. Bryant is 34 in his 17th.


text:
Sox bitten by Rays walk-off homer
Guillen unhappy with team's lackluster performance at plate
By Scott Merkin / MLB.com
Judging by Guillen's angry postgame commentary, completely directed at his struggling offense, the White Sox manager might not be the best company upon his arrival.
"There's only one message I'm going to send. That's all I'm going to talk," said Guillen, as he was getting dressed after watching the White Sox slip to 30-26 on the season and suffer their first three-game losing streak since May 11-13.
"Just be ready, because I expect movement Tuesday," continued Guillen, in a measured but terse tone, which briefly turned profane for a word or two on a couple of occasions. "I expect [general manager] Kenny [Williams] to do something Tuesday, and if we don't do anything Tuesday, there are going to be a lot of lineup changes. That's all I'm going to say about the offense.
"It can be me. It can be [hitting coach] Greg Walker. It can be the players. It could be anybody. I'm sick and tired of watching this thing for a year and a half. I'm not protecting anybody anymore."
Guillen's diatribe lasted close to a minute and a half, and there were no follow-up questions. So it was hard to discern the individuals Guillen was addressing when talking about "not protecting anybody anymore."
Could it be Walker, his embattled hitting coach, who Guillen has mentioned numerous times before as a tireless worker and someone who takes these White Sox offensive shortcomings as personal as anyone in the organization? Or could it be his core of veteran players, such as Nick Swisher, who dropped to .201 with his 1-for-5 showing, or Paul Konerko, hitting .205 after finishing 1-for-5 in Sunday's loss?
Of course, other hitters are struggling, with Carlos Quentin featuring the highest average among everyday players at .293. It's not from lack of effort or dedication, but if Guillen has proven one trait to be abundantly clear over his five-year managerial tenure, it's that he is a man of his word. Changes could be on the horizon, as early as Tuesday's series opener with the Royals.
"He's the manager. He can do what he wants. That's that," Konerko said. "It's a little bit of everything -- good pitching, bad decisions being made. What you have to realize is they blew a lot of opportunities as well.
"Again, everybody is giving everything they have. You can re-evaluate it how you want, but the effort is there."
The third win in this four-game weekend series for the Rays (35-22) came for the second time from the walk-off variety, courtesy of ninth hitter Gabe Gross' leadoff home run against Matt Thornton (1-1) on a 0-2 pitch. Thornton waved his fist in anger about four steps from the mound, not even watching the ball's trajectory after Gross made contact.
Thornton actually looked in line for a victory after he cruised through the ninth inning and Jim Thome turned a softly hit single to center into a double to lead off the 10th. Thome's two doubles raised his average to .212.
Pinch-runner Pablo Ozuna moved to third with one out, but Joe Crede, hitting .264 after an 0-for-5 showing, grounded out against reliever J.P. Howell without Ozuna advancing. Swisher took a called third strike to end the threat and set up another big finish for the Rays.
Tampa Bay starter Andy Sonnanstine, who hurled a shutout against the White Sox on April 19, gave up two runs in the second, via Alexei Ramirez's two-run double. Ramirez finished with a career-high three hits, raising his average to .255.
Orlando Cabrera's run-scoring single moved the lead back to two runs, making it 3-1 in the fifth, as he brought home Brian Anderson, who had doubled. But the Rays needed just six pitches to tie the game against Mark Buehrle in the bottom of the fifth.
Johnny Gomes singled, Shaun Riggans doubled and Gross jumped on the next offering for a two-run triple. Buehrle stranded Gross at third, despite him getting there with no outs, and exited with a no-decision after six innings. Buehrle, who struck out five and gave up seven hits, has one win in his last 10 starts.
Chicago's offense has scored 13 runs while he has been on the mound in his last seven starts.
"Obviously, that's the other side of the ball. I'm not familiar with them," Buehrle said. "I'm terrible at hitting. They're doing a better job than I am, so I can't comment on that."
Sunday's loss dropped the White Sox to 3-4 on this road trip, after they started out 3-1, and reduced their American League Central lead to one game over Minnesota. Despite scoring four runs in the last three games against the Rays, Konerko pointed to the standings as the current positive by-product of a story yet to be told.
"This was going to be a good road trip that, obviously, finished off bad," Konerko said. "We finished May in first place, and didn't feel like we're even clicking at all. You want to find positives in that, you find positives. You want to find negatives, you find negatives, but the story is still unwritten."
As far as Guillen is concerned when talking about his anemic offense, it might be time to change a writer or two for this particular tale.
"If they can't get it done, Kenny should find someone to get it done. That's it," Guillen said.
"Another bad game. If we think we are going to win with the offense we have ...," added Guillen, pointing out in colorful terms how that result isn't likely to happen. "I'm just being honest. I expect better from them, if they are in the lineup."
Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
© 2009 MLB Advanced Media, L.P. All rights reserved.
Pair of arms gets Futures Game nod
D-backs' strength at pitcher evident with duo's selection
By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com
PHOENIX -- It's no secret that the strength of the Arizona Diamondbacks farm system these days is on the mound.
ARI - Parker, Septimo
ATL - Heyward
BAL - Matusz, Tilman
BOS - Kelly, Tazawa
CHC - Vitters, Castro
CWS - Flowers, Viciedo
CIN - Heisey, Sulbaran
CLE - Santana, Weglarz
COL - Young, Chacin
DET - Sizemore
FLA - Stanton
HOU - Castro, Lo
KC - Duffy
LAA - Reckling
LAD - Baez
MIL - Escobar, Lawrie
MIN - Tosoni
NYM - Mejia, Flores
NYY - Banuelos, Montero
OAK - Weeks, Carter
PHI - Drabek, Flande
PIT - Alvarez, Lincoln
SD - Latos, Durango
SF - Bumgarner, Villalona
STL - Jones, Wallace
SEA - Liddi, Gillies
TB - Jennings, Kang
TEX - Feliz
TOR - Perez
WAS - Espinosa
Futures Game
So it should come as no surprise that the two players representing the organization in this year's Futures Game are hurlers Jarrod Parker and Leyson Septimo.The 11th annual XM All-Star Futures Game, pitting the best Minor League prospects from the United States against the best from the rest of the World, will be held at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on All-Star Sunday, July 12, at 11 a.m. MST. MLB.com will provide complete coverage before, during and after the game, which can be seen live on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD and followed live on Gameday. Jarrod Parker, RHP, Double-A Mobile (U.S. Team) The team's first-round pick (ninth overall) in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft out of Norwell (Ind.) High School lit up radar guns and caught the attention of D-backs scout Mike Daughtry. Parker, 20, signed a couple of months after the Draft, and the team decided to have him pitch in the instructional league that fall rather than go out on a Minor League assignment. Last season, he spent the entire year at Class A South Bend, where he was 12-5 with a 3.44 ERA. This year, the team has been more aggressive with him. After he dominated hitters with Class A Visalia -- 0.95 ERA in four starts -- he was promoted to Double-A Mobile, where his success continued. Parker had a scare recently when he was hit in his right wrist by a line drive on June 13. X-rays and an MRI exam showed no damage, and he was back on the mound on Wednesday and allowed one run on three hits for his fourth win. He is a likely candidate for the big league rotation in 2010. Leyson Septimo, LHP, Visalia (World Team) Septimo is one of the more unlikely Futures Game participants, because just two seasons ago he was an outfielder in the Arizona system trying to find his way at the plate. One thing he always possessed was a cannon for an arm, and the organization decided to switch him to the mound in 2008. In his first season as a pitcher, Septimo was 0-2 with a 5.49 ERA for Visalia and struggled mightily with his control. While he fanned 44 in 41 innings, he also walked 33. This season he has begun to harness some of his vast potential. While there are still some control issues -- 21 walks in 33 1/3 innings -- he has held opponents to a .184 batting average and is 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA and four saves in his first 22 games of the year.
Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
Sometimes you may wish to analyze only a certain demographic subgroup of interest, such as a particular age range or gender, or whether survey participants were tested for a particular lab analyte or other examination criteria.
For SUDAAN procedures it is important that you do not create a smaller subgroup based on any non weight-related groups of interest (e.g. demographic, laboratory or examination variables) in the SAS data step before executing the SUDAAN procedure. Instead, it is highly recommended that you create a subset of your sample population using the subpopn statement in the SUDAAN procedure itself and not in the SAS data step. In addition, SUDAAN procedures require that all observations in the dataset being read into a procedure have the same sample weight. Therefore, prior to the SUDAAN procedure you should create a subset of your data to include only those observations with the appropriate sample weight for your analysis.
For SAS Survey procedures, there is no subpopn statement. Instead, most SAS Survey procedures use a domain statement for domain analysis, also known as subgroup analysis or subpopulation analysis.
SAS Technical Support.
Close Window


text:
A catholic monastery devoted to the teachings of St. Benedict
(1) This first day of the new year is an O.P.-ranked solemnity,
Mary the Mother of God. Father Prior Kurt presided, and Archabbot
Lambert preached, at our 9:30 a.m. Conventual Mass. We enjoyed our
Sunday schedule today, which included a modest gaudeamus
after our evening buffet meal.
(2) Father Stephen remains in the hospital in Jasper. +++ We
received word that the Subcommittee on the Catechism, under the
Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis of the USCCB, recently
published a Handbook on the Conformity Review Process.
They dedicated the work to Archbishop Daniel, honoring his
"significant contribution to the work of catechesis in our
country." The archbishop had served as founding chairman of the
original Ad Hoc Committee for the implementation of the Catechism
from 1994-2002. Congratulations, Archbishop Daniel, and many thanks
for your important work!
(3) We received the body of Father Odilo Burkhardt, OSB, a monk of
Blue Cloud Abbey, this morning. Father Odilo died December 30, at
the care facility in South Dakota where he had been for the past
several years. Since Blue Cloud Abbey closed in July and there is
no longer a resident monastic community there, Abbot Justin agreed
to Blue Cloud Abbot Dennis Quinkert's request that Fr. Odilo be
buried at Saint Meinrad (where he made his first profession and
from which he became a founding member of Blue Cloud). A funeral
Mass was said in South Dakota on January 2, after which the body
was transported to Becher Funeral Home in Ferdinand, who have for
years handled our arrangements. Fathers Abbot and Prior and a half
dozen monks, as well as over a dozen of Father Odilo's nephews and
nieces from the Indianapolis and Wabash areas, were on hand to
receive the body at 10 o'clock; they placed it in the Archabbey
Church and had a brief prayer service. The monastic community and
more guests gathered at 11 o'clock for the traditional Office of
the Dead, at which Abbot Justin presided. Abbot Dennis offered the
remembrance. After the Office, we processed to the cemetery and,
after blessing our newest grave, lowered the coffin into the earth.
May Father Odilo's soul, and the souls of all the faithful
departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace!
(4) Father Jonathan left for Rome today, to join Fr. Denis and our
fourth-year seminarians (deacon class), who are enjoying a two-week
study tour. Those who know Father Jonathan know he will bring back
pictures and stories! We wish him and his fellow pilgrims safe
travels and enjoyable times. +++ Nine men from Carmel, Indiana,
arrived on the hill today to begin their Maker's Dozen Men's
Retreat. They'll be with us through the weekend. +++ Father Stephen
is not doing well at all. He was transferred to St. Mary's Hospital
in Evansville this afternoon.
(5) Father Stephen returned to our infirmary today, via
ambulance, from St. Mary's Hospital, Evansville. We began our
customary visitation with him around 7 o'clock, and will continue
throughout the night. +++ Thirty-eight members of St. Charles
Borromeo Parish from Bloomington, Indiana, are making their
Confirmation retreat with us today and tomorrow.
(6) Father Abbot Justin presided and preached on this Solemnity of
the Epiphany; we continued the celebration in our refectory, with
colloquium at the midday meal. +++ Just as we were
concluding our meal, Father Stephen died peacefully in our
infirmary. We now pray for the repose of his soul.
(7) Fr. Bob Robeson of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis is
accompanying 37 young men from the Bishop Simon Brute House for a
three-day retreat.
(8) A Certificates In Supervision session, coordinated by Agnes
Kovacs, our associate director of Lay Degree Programs, is under way
for the next few days. Nine individuals are participating.
(9) After Midday Prayer we received the body of Father Stephen at
our entry way. A monk is brought through these "great doors" only
twice during his life: at his novitiate, as he is led into the
monastery by his novice master, and after his death, as six of his
confreres walk his coffin into our house. The brief ceremony
includes the blessing of the body with holy water and the placing
of the monk's vow chart on top of his coffin. In place of Compline
this evening, we prayed the Office of the Dead, which included a
personal "remembrance" of Father Stephen, prepared and offered by
Father Jeremy.
(10) We don't wish to be irreverent, but we monks do find humor in
the unexpected-even in the sacred and liturgically unexpected. With
30 seconds to go before beginning the entrance procession for the
funeral liturgy of Father Stephen, the smoke detectors and fire
alarms were activated throughout the church and St. Anselm Hall
(adjacent to the church). Needless to say, as they weren't in tune
with the mode of the planned Entrance Antiphon, we waited…for a
good three minutes, before our crew was able to reset the system.
As Father Stephen worked in construction for so many years and was
familiar with building codes and systems-and, as after inspection,
the cause of the alarms going off could not be discovered-well,…we
monks find humor even in the sacred and liturgically unexpected.
The remainder of Father's funeral liturgy was no less dramatic,
weather-wise. A steady rain necessitated a much-abbreviated
procession to the cemetery, with Fr. Stephen's casket being
accompanied only by Fathers Abbot and Prior, six monk-pallbearers,
a few ministers, a couple of monks, and a handful of guests and
visitors, instead of the full complement of the monastic community
and mourners as usual. Father Abbot presided at the Mass and Father
Sean preached; Father Abbot also said the prayers at the
abbreviated service at the graveyard itself. The casket was lowered
into the ground, the shovel of dirt was thrown on top,…and the rain
(11) This evening Father Jeremy began offering his weekend retreat
to 19 permanent deacon candidates of the Belleville Diocese and
their wives, titled "Vatican 2: Rediscovering the Treasure."
(12) It seems as though half the monastery is down with one of two
versions of the flu: one, which expresses its effects mainly
through headaches and coughing, the other, nastier, since it
necessitates constantly checking to determine the location of the
nearest restroom. All of our confreres in our infirmary are sick,
and infected monks and students (quite of few of them as well) have
been told to stay in their rooms and, yes, drink plenty of fluids.
Our health services and infirmary staff are proving themselves
characteristically heroic, caring both for their patients and their
patients' rooms and facilities. There is good news: it seems the
flu-and, thankfully, its symptoms-lasts less than 72 hours.
(13) On this feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, Father Jeremy is
our Mass Heb. We began our Eucharist this morning with the blessing
of the holy water font. +++ Care for our many sick confreres and
students continues, and extra washings and precautions are under
way in our kitchens.
(14) This evening after Compline, the Saint Meinrad Chapter (all
monks in solemn vows) formally welcomed Abbot Alan and Father
Cletus, formerly of Blue Cloud Abbey, into the Chapter. Abbot
Alan's and Father Cletus' request to transfer their stability to
Saint Meinrad (where both had originally professed their vows) was
approved by the Chapter in November. Ordinarily a one-year
probation period would follow, but this was waived by the Chapter
in a subsequent vote. We welcome our new members!
(15) Father Harry has put together an exhibit, "The Second Vatican
Council: Looking Back after Fifty Years," that the Archabbey
Library is now hosting. The exhibit contains documents,
photographs, artifacts, newspaper and magazine articles, and books
and journals, some of which have been obtained from regional
bishops who participated in the Council.
(16) We're making final plans for Archbishop Joseph Tobin's
"official welcome" at Saint Meinrad this coming Monday the 21st.
That's also the solemnity of our patron, and the eighth anniversary
of the blessing of Archabbot Justin. Plenty of reasons to
(17) Delta Chi "A"s' Leadership Academy from Iowa City, Iowa, is
having its annual meeting on the hill this week. We have grown
pleasantly accustomed to their annual visit these past seven years
or so. Their staff and facilitators have been arriving over the
past few days, and participants will be arriving tomorrow, to stay
through Monday morning. We welcome these 170 members of Delta
(18) Our Father Harold Hammerstein died shortly after 8 o'clock
this evening at the Little Sisters of the Poor in Evansville,
Indiana, under whose care he had been for the past six weeks.
Father Harold was 89 years old, had been professed as a monk for 68
years, and was in his 64th year of priesthood. May he rest in
(19) January is the main month we have our "Saint Meinrad Sundays"
in parishes throughout our neighboring dioceses. This weekend 22
parishes in the Evansville Diocese are allowing us the opportunity
to speak at their Sunday Masses about our various works on the hill
and ask for the continued prayerful, moral and financial support of
the parishioners. We are grateful for those who support our prayer
and work, and ask God's blessings upon them.
(20) Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. Father Meinrad is our Mass
Heb this week, although he will be a bit shortchanged due to feasts
and funerals. +++ Father Prior Cassian from Monastero di San
Benedetto in Norcia, Italy, is with us for a few days. Welcome
home, Father Prior Cassian!
(21) We followed our Sunday schedule on this solemnity of St.
Meinrad, our patron, and were happy to have Indianapolis Archbishop
Joseph Tobin with us as we officially welcomed him into our
Archabbey Church and into our home. The archbishop presided and
preached at our Eucharist, and then joined us for a social in our
calefactory, at which Abbot Justin presented him with an original
print of St. Alphonsus Liguori (the founder of the Redemptorists),
designed and created by our Br. Martin Erspamer
(22) After our Midday Prayer we processed from the church to our
entry way, where we received the body of Father Harold. Father
Prior Kurt presided at this brief ceremony. At 7 o'clock this
evening, Father Prior presided over the Office of the Dead, at
which Father Timothy offered the remembrance.
(23) Father Abbot Justin presided, and Abbot Lambert preached, at
the funeral Mass of Father Harold. This is our third burial in a
short period of time (we buried Fr. Odilo Burkhardt of Blue Cloud
Abbey on the 3rd, and Fr. Stephen on the 10th), and so we had to
use a "non-carpenter shop" casket for the first time in many years.
(Father Germain, our carpenter, could not construct a casket in
time for Father Harold's burial.) Our Abbey Caskets produced a
simple casket, nearly identical those our monk-carpenters have
fashioned close to half a century. We may well be relying more on
our Abbey Caskets in the future, given Father Germain's workload
and the "graying" and aging of our community.
(24) Most of our seminarians have been off the hill this week,
making their annual retreat at various locations; our first-year
theology seminarians continue our practice of "Towards Jerusalem"
at Maple Mount, Kentucky. All will be returning this weekend;
classes for the second semester begin on Monday!
(25) We celebrated the feast of the conversion of St. Paul, and
Father Meinrad, our Mass Heb, presided and preached. We also heard
from Father Paul, whose feast is today-who informed us with great
joy that he has finished the work for his SSL (Licentiate in Sacred
Scripture) degree. Since he is studying in Rome, a visit to the
Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls would be in order!
(26) Over 80 of our lay degree students are on the hill this
weekend, taking another round of weekend courses. Classes and
instructors include "Christology," taught by Dr. Keith Lemna,
"Catholic Sacraments," by Fr. Thomas Richstatter, OFM, "Pentateuch
and Historical Books," by Fr. Damian Dietlein, OSB, "Synoptics,
Acts and General Epistles," by Dr. Clayton Jefford, "Early Church
History," by Dr. Alexander Hwang and "Foundations of Spirituality,"
by Father Eugene.
(27) We celebrate the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time! Father Pius
is our Mass Heb, but is out on parish assignment for the weekend,
and so Father Germain filled in for him, presiding and preaching at
the Conventual Mass. We also welcomed Bishop Joseph Siegel, an
alumnus from our college ('84), and auxiliary bishop of the Joliet
Diocese; the bishop will be speaking to our seminarians tomorrow
evening; we enjoyed sharing our main meal with him today.
(28) First day of classes for the second semester. Good timing, as
it's also the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, a familiar source of,
and a patron for, seminary studies and students!
(29) We monks had a community meeting yesterday evening in the
Chapter Room. We continued discussing some of the topics and
suggestions coming from our visitation this past October.
(30) Today we observed the one-year anniversary of the deaths of
Father Donald Walpole and Father Eric Lies. It is the actual day of
death of Father Eric; Father Donald died last year on January 27.
Because this year's 27th is a Sunday, we transferred the
anniversary so as to observe both on the 30th. This wasn't just for
"convenience"; it was also an "honest nod" to their relationship
with each other. Fathers Donald and Eric were profession classmates
(1940), and Father Eric died last year just a few hours after we
buried Father Donald! May they, and all the faithful departed, rest
in peace!
(31) On this last day of the month, we're having our first major
snow of the season. We've had flurries a few times through December
and January, but this promises to be more. Snow began during
Vespers and-late evening as I write this-continues.
And now, from St. Benedict's Rule…
The abbot should focus all his attention on the care of wayward
brothers, for "it is not the healthy but the sick who need a
physician." Thus he should use all the means that a wise physician
would. For example, he might send in senpectae, that is,
wise, elderly brothers who know how to comfort the wavering brother
as if in secret. By this means, they can urge him to make humble
satisfaction and also "console him so that he be not devoured by
too much sorrow."
Chapter 27, "The Abbot's Preoccupation with the
Translation by Fr. Terence Kardong, OSB, monk of Assumption
Each day the monks of Saint Meinrad Archabbey write another page
in the long history of Benedictine monks throughout the world. Here
are recent events chronicled at Saint Meinrad.
Contact Us
Website Feedback
© Saint Meinrad Archabbey 2018


text:
By SUZANNE GAMBOA
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Native American and Alaska Native leaders say climate change has resulted in their villages being under water because of coastal erosion, former fishing grounds turning to dead zones, drought persisting year after year and much more because of climate change.
The leaders described the environmental changes in a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing focused on the impact of climate change on native peoples. Several West Coast tribal members and Alaska Natives are in Washington this week for a symposium on the issue.
The chief of the Yupiit Nation in Akiak, Alaska, says villages are being wiped out by coastal erosion. He says Congress needs a strategic plan to address the climate change impact on native communities. He says Congress should consider native practices in designing the plan.


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text:
Party time: Yanks kings of AL East
Pettitte's solid start, clutch hit by Matsui secure title
By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com
The chase for an elusive American League East crown ended on Sunday, as the Yanks locked up the division and home-field advantage for the playoffs in one tidy swoop. The Yankees christened the winning tradition of their new cathedral with a 4-2 victory over the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium.
Andy Pettitte hurled six strong innings, Hideki Matsui came through with a clutch two-run hit, and the Yankees got homers from Melky Cabrera and Mark Teixeira en route to their 16th division title. They hope their 100th victory of the season is only a preview of events to come.
"It's been a while since we've won one here, and I think everybody is hungry," Pettitte said. "We're all trying to push each other and grind through. We want to bring another championship to New York. There's no better place to win than here."
In a season when the Yankees have been helped by big-ticket free-agent additions, it seemed appropriate that members of the so-called "Old Guard" -- the players who were here for the last World Series title, in 2000 -- vaulted them to the top.
Pettitte limited the Red Sox to two runs, leaving in line for the victory, and Mariano Rivera recorded the final out after Jacoby Ellsbury bounced softly back to the mound. The Yankees joyously bounced around the infield in celebration, quickly snapping up gear proclaiming them as the AL East champions.
"I think the way last year ended left a bad taste in all of our mouths," manager Joe Girardi said. "This organization is used to going to the playoffs and playing deep into the postseason. It was hard for all of us. It gave us all a chance to self-reflect and evaluate what we do, and it has paid off."
In the earliest days of the season, Girardi gathered his players in their Spring Training clubhouse and laid out the blueprint for the year ahead. Having endured a dark October in the final run-through across the street, Girardi made it clear that nothing less than finishing on top this time would be acceptable.
"Joe did a tremendous job from Spring Training," Rivera said. "He pulled us together, and we stuck together. That's the only reason why we accomplished all this. The front office did a tremendous job recruiting a bunch of great guys. That, plus what we have, is why it came as natural as this."
The Yankees declined to celebrate last week when they became the Major Leagues' first team to clinch a postseason berth, pointing to the reality that their main goal was still out there and that there would be a more appropriate occasion to spray the bubbly.
That set up a three-game weekend series against the Red Sox in which the Yankees could take care of their own business, with the added bonus of forcing the AL's likely Wild Card entry to watch.
"This is the first goal for us, to win the division," Derek Jeter said. "That's why we didn't celebrate when we clinched a playoff spot, because we had our sights on the division. Now we've got to regroup in a week and get back to work."
After starting the season winless in eight tries against Boston, New York won nine of its past 10 meetings to finish even.
"Well, you play the whole season to win, you know?" Red Sox slugger David Ortiz said. "Like I told you guys earlier, they'd figure things out. They've got a good team, and that's why they're celebrating today."
With the champagne on ice underneath Yankee Stadium and a sense of anticipation in the air among a rain-soaked crowd of 47,576, New York fell behind in the first inning when Mike Lowell lined an RBI single off Pettitte's left foot. Pettitte loaded the bases again in the third inning but limited the damage by inducing Lowell to hit into a run-scoring double play and striking out J.D. Drew looking.
Cabrera cut the deficit to one run in the third inning, slugging Paul Byrd's first pitch into the right-field seats for his 13th home run, and Matsui gave the Yankees the lead in the sixth with a clutch two-run single off Red Sox reliever Takashi Saito.
Teixeira tacked on with an eighth-inning shot off Daniel Bard, his 38th, and said later that he has been blessed in his first season with the Yankees.
"I thank all my teammates for giving me this opportunity," Teixeira said. "It's been a rough last couple of years, figuring out where you're going to play, and then once you finally choose to play in New York, it validates it all."
Seeing the finish line ahead, Pettitte departed after six innings, and Girardi called on embattled reliever Brian Bruney -- once the club's primary eighth-inning option and now fighting for a spot on the playoff roster. Bruney recorded five outs and walked off to a loud ovation that he said was incredibly emotional.
"Everybody here was counting on me, and everybody let me know they appreciated it," Bruney said. "I would have loved to look up and give a thank you, but honestly, I had tears in my eyes and I couldn't. That's been my moment in baseball right now. It was an awesome feeling."
Phil Coke struck out Ortiz to end the eighth and Rivera worked around a hit and an error to secure his 44th save, sending players scurrying for eyewear and blasting bottles for what the Yankees can only hope will be the first of many wild celebrations to come.
"It's a stepping stone to do some special stuff around here," Pettitte said. "Hopefully we'll continue to do this and carry it into the postseason."
Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Zion National Park > Observation Point > Climber's Log
Observation Point Climber's Log
[ Sign the Climber's Log ]
|Foxy Long Bottoms
|Did it again
Date Climbed: Jan 5, 2008
|After getting shut down in Echo. Nice hike. Enjoyed looking down on some of the stuff I've climbed in the Park.
|Posted Jan 11, 2008 12:26 pm
|So many times..
Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2007
|Done it more times than I can remember.
|Posted Dec 18, 2007 3:30 pm
|Observation Point
Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2007
|Been there more times than I can remember. Love the hike through Echo Canyon and also did it via the East Mesa route.
|Posted Nov 30, 2007 1:30 pm
|Stu Brandel
Date Climbed: Sep 11, 1993
|My wife and I went up and enjoyed the stunning view
|Posted Nov 21, 2007 8:25 pm
|Great views! Few people!
Date Climbed: Feb 23, 2007
|Climbed with my 6-month pregnant wife. She's such a trooper! Barely complained! Had a close encounter with a Bighorn sheep and her kid on the way up. Despite it being February, we didn't have to hike through any snow...
|Posted Jul 21, 2007 6:13 pm
|Very Tired
Date Climbed: Jul 29, 2005
|Did this hike after doing the narrows the day before. I was super tired but motivated, and the view was fantastic. I am glad I did it.
|Posted Mar 13, 2007 10:58 pm
|Ahh, memories ...
Date Climbed: Jun 29, 1994
|Scouting a return trip. Did this one with Papa Bear years ago.
|Posted Feb 13, 2007 8:11 pm
|Great View
Date Climbed: May 10, 2006
|A good hike with incredible views. Perfect day. Hidden Canyon is a worthwhile detour.
|Posted Dec 14, 2006 2:29 am
|from Weeping Rock Trailhead
Date Climbed: Nov 21, 2006
|I thought this hike was more interesting than Angel's Landing, and not nearly as crowded.
|Posted Nov 30, 2006 12:43 am
|Great hike
|Loved every step! The Hidden Canyon detour is well worth while.
|Posted Sep 15, 2006 1:47 am
|John Styrnol
|Observation Point
Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2005
|Did this on the way to Mystery Canyon.
|Posted Aug 22, 2006 1:47 am
|Route Climbed: Weeping Rock
Date Climbed: Jul 20, 2005
|All by ourselves at the point looking out over the valley - it even rivaled Yosemite. Amazing.
|Posted Jul 13, 2006 7:15 pm
|Route Climbed: From Weeping Rock trailhead
|drove the 6 hours from Los Angeles, rushing to a Utah appointment, resting the night with random campers at Zion, then revisited these huge red rocks of my youth, hiked so many years ago when I came here with my family. and this was the first trail I revisited. and oh what a lovely lovely revisiting, indeed
|Posted Jul 10, 2006 2:15 am
|Dan the Jones
|More like Crying
Date Climbed: Oct 25, 2005
|This place was pouring water out after a record breaking 9+ inches of rain.
|Posted Jul 2, 2006 4:29 am
|Dan the Jones
Date Climbed: Oct 29, 2004
|We approached the switchbacks only to find that their had been a landslide across them. We poached the trail anyways, and found a large amount of sand across the trail. But with footsteps already in front of us we proceeded on. Ice covered the shadows in the canyon and on the rim. One of the best overall views of Zion.
|Posted Apr 12, 2006 7:55 pm
|Success in May, 2002
|Summited on a late May day with nearly 100 degree temps.
|Posted Mar 27, 2006 3:17 am
|Route Climbed: Trail from Weeping Rock TH Date Climbed: July 7, 2005
|Another beautiful hike with abundance of breath taking views into some parts of Zion not visible from the main canyon. Also through couple of some beautiful "mini" slot canyons. Even through we were there in high season we meet only about 5 people during this hike. Unbelievable, I guess no one wanted to deal with the little harsh elevation gain in this hot summer month. We started hiking early in the morning (about 7:30am) and definitely felt the advantage of the shaded switch backs right after the weeping rock trail. The area around this trail at the top is almost like somewhere else, but Zion, but than there is the view and everything is right back.
|Posted Jan 25, 2006 3:42 pm
|Matthew Holliman
|Route Climbed: Trail from Weeping Rock TH Date Climbed: Nov 22, 2005
|Hiked/jogged this after walking up Angels Landing earlier in the morning. Some great views along the way, especially into the Zion backcountry, which is simply gorgeous. Enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours.
|Posted Nov 28, 2005 9:28 pm
|Route Climbed: Weeping Rock Trailhead Date Climbed: Sunday, February 16, 2003
|Power hiked this trail on a Sunday afternoon. Very nice hike. Enjoyed the slot canyons along the way and the view from the top.
|Posted Oct 2, 2005 5:19 pm
|Route Climbed: Observation Point/Echo Canyon trail Date Climbed: May 24th, 2004
|Great hike with everything a hiker would want along the way. Half way up the lower switchbacks is the trail to Hidden Canyon. A fantastic side trip most overlook.
|Posted Aug 8, 2005 12:45 pm


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Can you believe it? Today officially begins the 2013 People's Choice Awards season! We know, we know — the show doesn't air live until January 9th, but one of the great things about the People's Choice Awards is that YOU, THE FANS, help us through the entire process.
Today on PeoplesChoice.com, YOU can vote on some brand-new, totally awesome categories that YOU want to see live, in the show. Think Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield are the cutest on-screen couple? Well vote for the "Favorite On-Screen Romance" category and the "it" couple of the year could soon be seen canoodling over their shared award at an adorable French brasserie in New York City's west village. Have a favorite House DJ, like Avicii or Skrillex, that YOU want to see take home a PCA in January? Well head to the newly launched voting experience, choose "Favorite DJ" in the Music Categories and voile: Afrojack could be fist pumping his way down the aisle at the Nokia Theatre to accept his shiny, crystal People's Choice Award.
YOU have from today, September 18 until Thursday, September 28 to vote, vote, vote and make your voice heard. So what are YOU waiting for? Get ta voting NOW!
Potential MOVIE Categories:
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Potential MUSIC Categories:
Favorite DJ
Favorite FACE OF POP MUSIC
Favorite FAN FOLLOWING
Favorite FESTIVAL HEADLINER
Favorite SINGER/ACTOR
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While you're at it, voice your choice in today's featured poll and tell us which of the guest stars slated to appear on the next season of NBC's Smash is your favorite?
Nikki Blonsky
Jennifer Hudson
Jesse L. Martin
For the latest pop culture news and voting, make sure to sign up for the People's Choice newsletter!


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Since I'm going to be writing several posts about my upcoming participation in a NASA tweetup during the final Space Shuttle launch later this week, I thought I would provide a little background on why I love all things space.
The Early Years
I can't pinpoint exactly when I became interested in space, but the first memory I have of something space-related occurred in 1985, when I was six or seven years old and lived just outside of New York City. My father was overseeing the opening of a new site for his employer in Roanoke, Va., a wonderful city to which we would eventually move and in which I would live for 18 years. For several months before we moved, my father commuted to Roanoke during the week, and returned to New York each weekend. To remind my sister and me that he was thinking of us during his travels, my father always came back each week with a toy or souvenir that he bought for us. (I'm not sure if my mother got a gift every week, but one of the weeks he brought her back a diamond, so I think it averaged out.) Continue reading »


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Endotoxemia Explained
- Nov 1, 2011
- Topics:
Although we'd like to think our horses are "sterile" on the inside, they are, in fact, harboring vats of micro-organisms within their intestinal tracts. In the normal, healthy bowel resident microbes limit the overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria. One type of microbial inhabitant, Gram-negative bacteria, which helps break down fibrous feed, releases a portion of its cell wall when it multiplies and then dies. What's released is called endotoxin.
Normally, bacteria or their components are restricted from traveling beyond the bowel's interior by a complex intestinal barrier; the bowel lining's mucosa (mucus-secreting membrane lining all body passages that communicate with the air) is made of epithelial cells that shield against endotoxin. Also, enzyme and antibody secretions block endotoxin passage. And when small amounts of endotoxin do make it through the mucosal barrier into the liver's circulation, specialized immune cells envelop and eliminate the toxin.
However, when the bowel's natural system of checks and balances is altered and microbial overgrowth leads to a die-off of Gram-negative bacteria, the resulting endotoxin release can cause serious health issues. "Problems develop when the intestinal barrier is injured, such as occurs with gastrointestinal disease or surgery, from reduced intestinal blood flow related to intestinal displacements," explains Anthony Blikslager, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, professor of equine surgery at North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. "In addition, nonintestinal events such as septicemia (bacteria in the bloodstream) or post-foaling retained fetal membranes can cause large amounts of endotoxin to be absorbed into the central circulation." Bacterial, viral, or parasitic invasion might also alter gut flora and intestinal motility. And antibiotic therapy can change the gastrointestinal population, allowing overgrowth of some pathogenic bacteria strains.
What Does Endotoxin Do?
When large amounts of endotoxin overwhelm the body's normal protective mechanisms, they are absorbed through injured intestinal mucosa and enter the general circulation. "There," Blikslager says, "lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binding protein facilitates transfer of endotoxin to sensitized cell surface receptors." This initiates an intricate inflammatory cascade. The subsequent release of potent inflammatory mediators and prostaglandins (fatty acid-derived compounds) causes the horse to respond with clinical signs such as fever, malaise and/or anxiety, dehydration, dark mucous membranes, delayed capillary refill time, sweating, rapid heart and respiratory rates, intestinal shutdown, and pain. Potentially, the horse can lapse into life-threatening endotoxic shock.
Blikslager describes the earliest signs a horse owner might notice: "The horse seems to feel sick and the normally pink color of the mucous membranes becomes pale or 'injected' with redness or purplish color along the tooth line." He stresses that early recognition is key to a successful outcome--a recovered animal with no resulting damage.
"Duration of the endotoxic crisis is the biggest issue, particularly with colic," says Blikslager. Medical treatments will provide only transient relief in severe cases, and a horse with pain that persists or recurs despite medicating with a mild sedative or painkiller should be transported immediately to a referral hospital for continued monitoring and medical therapy.
"The trick is to catch the problem as fast as possible and, when necessary, get the horse to surgery to quickly restore bowel function," he adds. Not only does prompt treatment help circumvent the inflammatory cascade, but it also starts the horse on the road to healing.
However, if the disruption of the intestine is purely inflammatory in nature (e.g., enteritis or colitis inflammatory conditions of the small or large intestine), medical therapy is indicated rather than surgery.
"It's rare to get a pure case of endotoxemia," observes Blikslager. "Usually there's some damage to the intestinal barrier with substances leaking into the circulation that set up conditions for systemic inflammatory response syndrome, or SIRS (the deterioration that occurs when the whole body is in an inflammatory state due to a bacterial infection)."
Respiratory Effects
Endotoxin in the environment can also cause damage, although not in the intestinal sense. Susan Holcombe, VMD, MS, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, ACVECC, an equine surgeon at Michigan State University's veterinary school, has examined environmental issues as factors in the development of inflammatory airway disease. These issues include ventilation, respirable particulates, endotoxin, and bedding and feed quality, among others.
"Gram-negative bacteria occur in high concentrations in horse manure, making endotoxin a component of barn dust, something that horses are exposed to daily," she explains. "Inhalation of dust and endotoxin induces airway inflammation and exacerbates heaves (also known as recurrent airway obstruction)." Holcombe stresses that horses stabled in a barn environment inhale as much as eight times more endotoxin than those living in pasture.
As a preventive measure, owners should remove horses from the barn while cleaning stalls and sweeping aisleways. In addition, owners can soak or steam hay to minimize endotoxin inhalation in horses at risk for heaves. However, wet hay should be fed immediately to prevent bacterial proliferation that could become a source of endotoxin as well.
Holcombe also points out that horses with severe sepsis and endotoxemia can develop lung inflammation and other pulmonary problems associated with edema (fluid swelling), as endotoxin induces these debilitating cardiopulmonary changes.
Commonly Used Treatments
As discussed, it's important to respond with medical treatment to help avert inflammation and to support the horse's cardiovascular system. Ideally, the veterinarian will help prevent endotoxin from entering the horse's circulation in the first place. "Unfortunately," Blikslager emphasizes, "All too often a horse isn't recognized as sick until clinical deterioration makes it obvious. Effective treatment relies on identifying and eliminating the underlying cause of illness."
The veterinarian's treatment goals are to neutralize the endotoxin, prevent it from binding to white blood cells, improve blood pressure, block additional release of inflammatory mediators, and prevent further adverse physiologic events. They might meet these with the following strategies:
Improve Blood Pressure Intravenous fluid therapy is a mainstay in treating a horse with excess endotoxin in the circulation. "Endotoxin dilates blood vessels, including those in the periphery," explains Blikslager, referring to the tiny vessels outside of the brain and heart. "This allows inappropriate deposition of blood in capillary beds, with not as much available centrally in the heart," visible as blood pooling in the aforementioned red, injected, or purple-colored mucous membranes.
"Although technically the horse may not be dehydrated, IV fluids increase the amount of circulating fluid volume in the heart to improve central venous pressure," he explains.
Hetastarch (a plasma substititute) is another material that pulls fluid into central blood vessels, particularly when given in conjunction with intravenous fluid therapy. Hypertonic saline acts in a similar way as hetastarch, but Blikslager notes that it also stimulates the vagus nerve (the longest of the cranial nerves, which extend from the brain) to increase cardiovascular function and, thus, improve blood pressure.
At one time veterinarians recommended the anticoagulant heparin to control coagulation factors that endotoxin adversely affects--in particular, the clotting of small vessels that might lead to laminitis, which continues to be a concern. "With the availability of new forms of heparin (low molecular weight heparin), recent scientific publications indicate that this can be an effective treatment," says Blikslager. "The problem remains early recognition of colic and laminitis."
Administer Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Another method veterinarians use to address endotoxin's effects is to administer IV flunixin meglumine. "Flunixin is a mainstay therapy for colic and endotoxemia in horses, including its effect on reducing tumor necrosis factor, which is an important mediator of the inflammatory cascade," Holcombe notes.
Most NSAIDs work similarly to block pro-inflammatory enzymes (in this case, cyclooxygenase-1, or COX-1). Interestingly, Blikslager reports that European veterinarians prefer to manage endotoxemia with phenylbutazone (Bute), while in the U.S. they use flunixin ¬meglumine (Banamine).
"When initially available, flunixin meglumine was considered a miracle drug--horses looked better following treatment, at least externally; gum color improved; heart and respiratory rates subsided," Blikslager reports. "But we've come to realize that flunixin masks ongoing deterioration in approximately 5-10% of horses that have intestinal injury, such as from strangulation (twisted intestine)."
Holcombe stresses that flunixin can cause other negative effects, including gut and kidney toxicity.
"One important adverse event created by NSAIDs is that they slow intestinal repair," adds Blikslager. He notes that some forms of prostaglandin, while being inflammatory mediators, also have a ¬protective and reparative function for the intestinal lining--essentially, prostaglandis help cells crawl across the denuded areas. In normal intestinal tissue tight junctions between cells prevent substances from leaking out of the intestine and into the circulation. Prostaglandins are necessary to arrange these tight junction proteins. "If tight junctions remain open or are not repaired properly, then LPS continues to pass through and bind to immune surface cell receptors," explains Blikslager. "The result is continued release of inflammatory mediators."
Veterinarians often give horses lidocaine postoperatively to improve intestinal motility. While it has no direct effect on endotoxin, Blikslager reports it has a beneficial effect when given with NSAIDs: "Lidocaine can reverse flunixin-related inhibition of gut healing." Veterinarians administer the drug via specialized pumps that titrate (determine the concentration of a solution) the dose to their preference.
The new NSAID firocoxib is highly selective against COX-2 pro-inflammatory mediators (another type of degradative enzyme) and should have a role in reducing LPS-induced inflammation. However, Blikslager clarifies, "Use of a COX-2 inhibitor may not effectively manage pain (in these cases) and may decrease certain prostanoids (e.g., prostaglandins) that benefit gut repair." Meloxicam, a similar COX-2 inhibitor medication used in Europe, has a less adverse impact on the beneficial prostanoids, he notes, but high costs associated with obtaining FDA approval make it unlikely to become available in the United States.
Blikslager and colleagues are conducting clinical trials evaluating various NSAIDs and whether simple factors such as time of day for administration or breed of horse have any effect on the drugs' efficacy.
Bind Endotoxin Veterinarians have reported the value of low-dose intravenous administration of the antibiotic polymyxin B in binding endotoxin (and therefore preventing its interaction with white blood cells) but it must be given in a timely manner, before endotoxin crosses the intestinal barrier. Surgeons treating horses with intestinal twists often administer this drug before untwisting the bowel.
Some veterinarians might administer commercially available anti-endotoxin serum or plasma to sick horses to bind endotoxin. "Survivability is improved in horses, and particularly in foals, treated early on--those that are off feed or look like they aren't quite right," Blikslager remarks. The trick, however, is to get it on board before endotoxin circulates. He says, "Once endotoxin binds to surface cell receptors, inflammatory pathways are already turned on, and the effect of treatment is greatly reduced."
Diana Hassel, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, ACVECC, associate professor at Colorado State University's College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, has experience using the intestinal protectant di-tri-octahedral (DTO) smectite (Bio-Sponge) in endotoxic horses. "Our studies ... show excellent efficacy in binding both clostridial toxins and endotoxin," she reports. "It's my initial treatment of choice and is most effective when administered early, at the first signs or suspicion of the development of diarrhea." She suggests that DTO-smectite shouldn't be used during an ileus (absence of bowel motility).
On the Horizon
Ethyl Pyruvate Holcombe is investigating treating endotoxemic horses using a derivative of pyruvic acid called ethyl pyruvate that reportedly has antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties.
"Identifying a clinically useful treatment for endotoxemia, without bad side effects, remains an important goal," she says. "Early treatment with ethyl pyruvate improves symptoms of whole body infection and shock in a variety of research animal models." In horse studies, she explains, "Sick endotoxic horses treated with ethyl pyruvate showed fewer colic symptoms and had improved clinical signs compared to those not receiving treatment. In addition, ethyl pyruvate blocked the production of blood-borne toxins."
Phenylmethimazole Hassel is currently performing pharmacokinetic and efficacy studies on a promising new drug, phenylmethimazole, for treating endotoxemia. "It may inhibit the activity of a cell surface receptor that plays a key role in propagating the negative effects of endotoxin," she reports. "Phenylmethimazole has shown tremendous promise in treating multiple conditions in other species, including sepsis, colitis, and pancreatic cancer. It appears to be quite safe for use in horses."
Because of endotoxemia's insidious nature, researchers are investigating many other existing pharmacological agents to combat its clinical effects, including:
- Ketamine Researchers continue to investigate using low doses of the anesthetic ketamine as an anti-inflammatory medication. "Ketamine inhibits production of many toxins released into the blood during endotoxemia by blocking the site where endotoxin binds on blood cells," Holcombe reports.
- Pentoxifylline Veterinarians have used this anti-inflammatory agent to treat horses with sepsis, endotoxemia, or laminitis. "Along with its immune-modulating properties, pentoxifylline has been reported to decrease production of toxic products in blood stimulated by endotoxin," says Holcombe. "¬However, there is little proven information that it helps horses with ¬endotoxemia.
- Phospholipid Emulsion "Rapid (intravenous) infusion of a phospholipid emulsion demonstrated diminished effects of endotoxemia in horses," notes Holcombe. "However, beneficial results were offset by hemolysis (red blood cell contamination) problems ... so it is not yet available for clinical practice."
- Omega-3 Fatty Acid Infusion Other intravenous infusion studies of lipids enriched with omega-3 fatty acids show promising results in blocking endotoxemia-induced inflammation.
Take-Home Message
Cardiovascular support and stopping the inflammatory cascade as soon as possible are key to managing endotoxemia. The best treatment, however, is always one of prevention. For endotoxemia, that means helping the horse's gastrointestinal tract remain stable by avoiding abrupt feed changes, increasing the amount of fiber in the diet, and providing several small meals a day, rather than two large ones. Rapid recognition and resolution of any illness (gastrointestinal disease, colic, septicemia, or retained fetal membranes) that could potentially release endotoxin into the horse's circulation can also help prevent this condition.
About the Author
Nancy S. Loving, DVM
Nancy S. Loving, DVM, owns Loving Equine Clinic in Boulder, Colorado, and has a special interest in managing the care of sport horses. Her book, All Horse Systems Go, is a comprehensive veterinary care and conditioning resource in full color that covers all facets of horse care. She has also authored the books Go the Distance as a resource for endurance horse owners, Conformation and Performance, and First Aid for Horse and Rider in addition to many veterinary articles for both horse owner and professional audiences.
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Endurance and Endotoxemia


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Click on the headline (link) for the full text.
Climate change: you can't ignore it
Anne Karpf, The Guardian
I am not a climate-change denier. On the contrary, ever since I interviewed the environmentalist Mayer Hillman for this newspaper 10 years ago, when he predicted most of what's happening today, I've understood that we're in the throes of something serious. I now recycle everything possible, drive a hybrid car and turn down the heating. Yet somewhere in my marrow I know that this is just a vain attempt to exculpate myself – it wasn't me, guv.
Indeed, when I hear apocalyptic warnings about global warming, after a few moments of fear I tune out. In fact I think I might be something worse than a climate-change sceptic – a climate-change ignorer.
The fuse that trips the whole circuit is a sense of helplessness. Whatever steps I take to counter global warming, however well-intentioned my brief bursts of zeal, they invariably end up feeling like too little, too late. The mismatch between the extremely dangerous state of the earth and my own feeble endeavours seems mockingly large.
In Engaging with Climate Change, a major new book edited by Sally Weintrobe and described by Naomi Klein as "persuasive" and "powerful", 23 different authors, among them psychoanalysts like Weintrobe herself, help explain how we can both know and not know something at the same time. Paul Hoggett, professor of politics at the University of West of England, identifies a repertoire of defensive strategies; I'm ashamed to admit that I've used them all. They include: other people are worse than me/it's all the fault of someone else (blame-shifting); they'll come up with something (technoptimism); make hay while the sun shines (hedonistic fatalism). Then there's the view that the earth is so old and large, it can withstand the depredations of puny humans. I'd add another: climate-change fatigue. It's all too easy to become inured to the warnings – the "yes, yes, I've heard it all before" defence…
(30 November 2012)
2012: Record Arctic Sea Ice Melt, Multiple Extremes and High Temperatures
Press Release, World Meteorological Organization
GENEVA/DOHA, 28 November 2012 (WMO) – The years 2001–2011 were all among the warmest on record, and, according to the World Meteorological Organization, the first ten months indicate that 2012 will most likely be no exception despite the cooling influence of La Niña early in the year.
WMO's provisional annual statement on the state of the global climate also highlighted the unprecedented melt of the Arctic sea ice and multiple weather and climate extremes which affected many parts of the world. It was released today to inform negotiators at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Doha, Qatar.
January-October 2012 has been the ninth warmest such period since records began in 1850. The global land and ocean surface temperature for the period was about 0.45°C (0.81°F) above the corresponding 1961–1990 average of 14.2°C, according to the statement.
The year began with a weak-to-moderate strength La Niña, which had developed in October 2011. The presence of a La Niña during the start of a year tends to have a cooling influence on global temperatures, and this year was no different. After the end of the La Niña in April 2012, the global land and ocean temperatures rose increasingly above the long-term average with each consecutive month. The six-month average of May–October 2012 was among the four warmest such periods on record.
"Naturally occurring climate variability due to phenomena such as El Niño and La Niña impact on temperatures and precipitation on a seasonal to annual scale. But they do not alter the underlying long-term trend of rising temperatures due to climate change as a result of human activities," said WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud.
"The extent of Arctic sea ice reached a new record low. The alarming rate of its melt this year highlighted the far-reaching changes taking place on Earth's oceans and biosphere. Climate change is taking place before our eyes and will continue to do so as a result of the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which have risen constantly and again reached new records," added Mr Jarraud…
(28 November 2012)
Study: Wealthy Nations' Fossil Fuel Subsidies 5 Times Greater Than Climate Aid to Countries in Need
Amy Goodman, Democracy Now
A new report by Oil Change International has found wealthy nations are spending five times more money on fossil fuel subsidies than climate aid. In 2011, rich nations spent $58 billion on subsidies and just $11 billion for climate adaptation and mitigation in developing countries. According to the study, the United States spent $13 billion on fossil fuel subsidies in 2011 and just $2.5 billion in climate aid. We're joined by David Turnbull, campaigns director of Oil Change International.
(4 December 2012)
View transcript
No sign of emissions letting up as climate talks begin
Michael Le Page and Michael Slezak, New Scientist
…So there is little prospect of global emissions peaking around 2020 – which is what is needed to stop the world warming more than 2 °C. Limiting warming to 2 °C is still possible, but after decades of inaction, it would now take an unprecedented global effort to achieve it. "If this is not forthcoming, 2 °C is beyond our grasp and even 4 °C begins to look challenging," says Kevin Anderson of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research in Norwich, UK. Each year you don't do anything, the challenge grows greater, he adds.
Some countries have pledged to cut their emissions, but even if all existing pledges were kept – which seems unlikely – there is still a one in five chance that the world could warm by over 4 °C, a report commissioned by the World Bank warned last month. If we carry on as we are, temperatures could rise more than 4 °C well before 2100, and more than 8 °C before 2150…
At the moment, however, we are pumping such amounts of carbon into the atmosphere that even massive releases of carbon from natural sources will not make much of a difference. Estimates suggest they will only lead to a small amount of extra warming. Instead, the real threat is more subtle – it's that the longer we delay cuts, the less difference they will make, because by the time our emissions start to fall, the land and oceans won't be able to take in any more carbon and will begin releasing it…
(5 December 2012)
Forbidden Planet
George Monbiot, Monbiot.com
Humankind's greatest crisis coincides with the rise of an ideology that makes it impossible to address. By the late 1980s, when it became clear that manmade climate change endangered the living planet and its people, the world was in the grip of an extreme political doctrine, whose tenets forbid the kind of intervention required to arrest it.
Neoliberalism, also known as market fundamentalism or laissez-faire economics, purports to liberate the market from political interference. The state, it asserts, should do little but defend the realm, protect private property and remove barriers to business. In practice it looks nothing like this. What neoliberal theorists call shrinking the state looks more like shrinking democracy: reducing the means by which citizens can restrain the power of the elite. What they call "the market" looks more like the interests of corporations and the ultra-rich(1). Neoliberalism appears to be little more than a justification for plutocracy…
As we saw in 2007 and 2008 (when neoliberal governments were forced to abandon their principles to bail out the banks), there could scarcely be a worse set of circumstances for addressing a crisis of any kind. Until it has no choice, the self-hating state will not intervene, however acute the crisis or grave the consequences. Neoliberalism protects the interests of the elite against all comers…
Preventing climate breakdown – the four, five or six degrees of warming now predicted for this century by green extremists like, er, the World Bank, the International Energy Agency and PriceWaterhouseCoopers(4,5,6) – means confronting the oil, gas and coal industry. It means forcing that industry to abandon the four-fifths or more of fossil fuel reserves that we cannot afford to burn(7). It means cancelling the prospecting and development of new reserves – what's the point if we can't use current stocks? – and reversing the expansion of any infrastructure (such as airports) that cannot be run without them.
But the self-hating state cannot act. Captured by interests that democracy is supposed to restrain, it can only sit on the road, ears pricked and whiskers twitching, as the truck thunders towards it. Confrontation is forbidden, action is a mortal sin. You may, perhaps, disperse some money for new energy; you may not legislate against the old…
(3 December 2012)
Arctic lost record snow and ice last year as data shows changing climate
Suzanne Goldenberg, The Guardian
The Arctic lost more snow and sea ice between October 2011 and August 2012 than any year other on record, a premier US science agency reported on Wednesday, delivering the fullest picture to date of a region in the throes of rapid, system-wide change.
The Arctic lost record snow cover and sea ice last year – even though air temperatures were not unusually high.
By the end of August, several weeks before the end of the summer melt season, Arctic sea ice had retreated to its smallest extent since satellite records began in 1979.
In Greenland, virtually the entire ice sheet – 97% – sustained some degree of thawing during a period of a few days in July, including on some of the highest peaks.
(5 December 2012)


text:
Veras day to day with sore left oblique
By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com
MILWAUKEE -- Cubs reliever Jose Veras has a sore left oblique and is day to day, manager Rick Renteria said Friday.
Veras pitched on Thursday against the D-backs, and gave up two runs in one inning. It was his sixth appearance this season. The right-hander lost his job as the closer after blowing a two-run lead on April 11 against the Cardinals, and Thursday was only his second appearance since then.
"Veras is a little sore with his left oblique, and hopefully he'll be OK," Renteria said. "He's been working really hard and developed a little soreness. He's a very hard worker. We'll monitor it and see how he's doing."
The Cubs have eight relievers in the bullpen, including Veras, after adding lefty Zac Rosscup and right-hander Neil Ramirez on Thursday.
MRI shows no shoulder damage for prospect Edwards
MILWAUKEE -- Cubs Minor League pitcher C.J. Edwards, ranked No. 4 on MLB.com's Cubs' Top 20 Prospects list, underwent an MRI on Friday, which revealed some fatigue and inflammation in his right shoulder. The good news is there was no structural damage.
Edwards, 22, was examined in Chicago on Friday. He posted on his Twitter account: "Great news today rest then back at again #cubs#smokies#stilllivingmydream."
Cubs manager Rick Renteria said Edwards will begin a throwing program in a couple weeks.
"He's obviously somebody we really like, and this is just a little setback and he'll be fine," Renteria said.
The right-hander had a 2.61 ERA in four starts for Double-A Tennessee. On Sunday, he gave up two runs on three hits and two walks over six innings against Birmingham. Edwards felt some discomfort in his shoulder during a side session.
The slender right-hander was one of four players acquired from the Rangers for Matt Garza last July.
Edwards made one start in Spring Training for the Cubs and gave up three runs on four hits and three walks over 2 2/3 innings.
On a roll, Starlin slotted in cleanup spot
MILWAUKEE -- Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro has batted second, third, fifth and sixth this season, and on Friday, he was inserted into the cleanup spot for the second time in his career.
Castro has been on a roll, hitting safely in 14 of his last 19 games, and batting .307 dating back to April 3. That's part of the reason he was hitting fourth for the first time since Aug. 18, 2012, when he did so in the second game of a doubleheader in Cincinnati.
"We're trying to split up the lefties," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said of batters Anthony Rizzo, Luis Valbuena and Nate Schierholtz. "[The Brewers] do have three lefties in the bullpen, and with one less guy on the bench, we want to be able to give ourselves a chance to manuever through some of the lefty-lefty matchups by stacking, which we've been doing."
The Cubs decided to go with a 13-man pitching staff rather than add another outfielder when Justin Ruggiano went on the disabled list with a left hamstring strain, injured Wednesday.
Extra bases
• Wrigley Field has hosted baseball, football, boxing, hockey, soccer and even ski jumping. On Saturday, the Northwestern women's lacrosse team will play USC at the ballpark.
The Wildcats have won seven NCAA titles in the last nine seasons and take a 9-5 record into the game. It will be the first lacrosse game ever at Wrigley.
All tickets are $10 with first-come, first-served seating. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling (888) 467-8775 or bought Saturday at the Wrigley Field ticket office.
• In Minor League news, Tsuyoshi Wada struck out six over five shutout innings in Triple-A Iowa's 9-0 win over Colorado Springs on Thursday. Dan Vogelbach, ranked No. 10 on the Cubs' Top 20 Prospects list, had four hits, including a home run, and an RBI in Class A Daytona's 7-3 win over Brevard County. Albert Almora, No. 3 on the prospects list, added two hits.
Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. She writes a blog, Muskat Ramblings, and you can follow her on Twitter @CarrieMuskat. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text: Been waiting for some inspiration for what to do to mine, this is it! I've wondered for a while if lengthening the shocks would be hard on the university joint at the drive shaft (was considering doing this to a 700s nighthawk but decided against because of engine heating issues at low speed), given the increased angle between shaft/transmission for long periods of travel. I guess that one's been answered. I grew up in the Ozarks, when a kid the family camped many times at Albert Pikein the Ouachitas. Got a twinge of nostalgia seeing those pics. Great build thread, can I PM you with a few questions?


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Re: Two Sides to Every Story
Posted by Michael L on 4/08/06
I have not used the Pluck No More Product, and am a great proponent of
Aloe Vera juice. That being said, I do believe that the questioning and
somewhat uninformed, deserve to at least know that there are those that
do endorse this product and seemingly have had good results.
What is also interesting is that "Bord Certified Avian Veterinarians,"
which is the cornerstone of core beliefs and mantra for many Birdmart
advisor's, might find their testimonials somewhat convincing. In
addition, they even provide their phone numbers, web sites and veterinary
office names.
This product is also FDA registered which is more than can be said for
most products that we use on our birds.
All of the supposedly "harmful" herbs being used in this product are in a
beneficial amount/ratio that can have a positive effect rather than
negative on the bird.
To make this somewhat easier to understand, I'll use a dog for example.
Arsenic is both toxic and lethal, but when a dog contracts heart worm,
the treatment of choice is arsenic. It is used in controlled amounts and
is administered in a manner that kills or eradicates the heart worm, but
doesn't destroy the host which is the dog.
So too can many of these toxic herbs prove beneficial rather than
detrimental to the plucking bird.
As in everything, we all have the ability and right to choose what we
consider appropriate for use on any animal entrusted to our care. But we
should also consider that there are products that have potential to
possibly help some animals, even though we might find the ingredients
unorthodox or harmful, due to ignorance and hearsay.
Certainly there is always the possibility that there will be isolated
cases where an animal has had a negative reaction to a drug or adverse
reaction, but this is also true in humans. It's know as
hypersensitivity, but that doesn't mean that a product shouldn't be used
or tried because of an isolated case.
Make wise and educated choices, but do it when you have factual
information rather than hearsay and hypothesis.
Michael L
Hear what Sam Vaughn, DVM Avian Diplomate ABVP,
Board Certified Avian Veterinarian has to say!!
203 Moser Road
Louisville, KY 40223
(502) 245-7863
www.vetcity.com Sam Vaughn, DVM
Avian Diplomate ABVP
Kurt Oliver, DVM
Karen Lazas, DVM
May 31, 2005
RE: Safety and Efficacy of Pluck No More
Dear Richard:
I was at first skeptical about your product, especially its safety.
Therefore, as I always do, I decided to try your product on my own birds,
and a few special clients' birds.
I warned these clients that this was probably another "snake oil" that
would do nothing for their birds plucking but it seemed safe enough as
per the label's contents. After all we bird vets have been stumped by
feather picking for 40 years, so we would never want to admit that a
layperson provided a cure that we could not. I am of the reverse
philosophy. Anybody give me anything that is safe to help these birds and
I will rejoice in using it!
I am attaching a Complete Blood Count, Chemistry Panel, and Serum
Electrophoresis of an African Grey who was nearly bald in January of
2005. The bird was wearing an E-collar and had not responded to any of
our conventional treatments for chronic feather picking. He was living a
miserable existence as most collared birds do in my opinion.
We started Mufasa on Pluck No More on January 25, 2005. The collar came
off within two weeks.
The only abnormality is a low protein which is really normal because I
had the owner hold this bird off of food before my visit. He was without
food for over 8 hours, thus his blood protein should be expected to be
While I have no photos of Mufasa, he is nearly totally feathered after
four months on your product.
I will be forwarding you photos of my own featherpicker, Stevie, an
Umbrella Cockatoo, four weeks on your product and she now has tail
feathers for the first time in four years!
Her bloodwork is pending also, hopefully these normal biochemistries of
birds on your product will quiet the naysayers on the internet bird
boards who say your product is dangerous. Pluck No More has not harmed my
bird, or Mufasa the African Grey and I have proven that scientifically.
Update - 6/1/05
Complete Blood Count and Biochemistry Analysis of my own Cockatoo Stevie.
She has been on Pluck No More since 4/2/05 - All labs normal and first
normal tail feathers in 2-3 years.
Samuel B. Vaughn, DVM, Avian Diplomate, ABVP, Veterinary Associates-
Stonefield, Louisville, KY. www.vetcity.com 05/31/05
Hear what Greg Burkett, DVM Avian Diplomate ABVP,
Board Certified Avian Veterinarian has to say!!
"As a practicing specialist in avian medicine, I see many cases of
feather damaging behavior, which can be a difficult syndrome to diagnose
and treat. Pluck-No-More has given relief to this problem for many of my
clients and patients. I am impressed with the performance of Pluck-No-
More. It has successfully stopped feather damaging behavior in several of
my patients. If your bird is a feather plucker, chewer or otherwise
destroys its feathers, you owe it to your bird and yourself to try Pluck-
No-More. This product is not a replacement for proper veterinary care."
Greg Burkett DVM, Avian Diplomate ABVP, Board Certified Avian
Veterinarian, Durham, NC. www.birdieboutique.com 06/07/05