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With the grass cut low and the sun shining bright, the Dynamo opened up their 2013 training camp Monday morning at the Houston Amateur Sports Park.
A mix of old and new faces emerged from the locker room, as the Dynamo underwent little turnover following their 2012 MLS Cup runner-up finish. Notable absences from the squad include Brad Davis, Will Bruin and Tally Hall, who are currently with the U.S. men's national team, and Boniek Garcia, who is with the Honduran national team. Calen Carr was also not present, as he is currently rehabbing his knee following off-season surgery.
It was a light first day for the men in orange, as the club resumes training only seven weeks after the 1-0 loss to the Galaxy in the MLS Cup final, and only 40 days before the season opener.
Monday's scrimmage was a mix of footwork / speed drills using ladders and cones, and small-sided keepaway games.
Kinnear's first opportunity to see his team (and the trialists) in a full-sided game will be on Thursday, when the Dynamo first team takes on the Dynamo Academy U-18 squad, presented by Statoil, at 3 p.m. at the Houston Amateur Sports Park.
Following Monday's trianing session, Kinnear and the players spoke to the media about the opening of camp.


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EFJ, Inc. Introduces ES Series of Mobile Radios
Irving, TX —EFJ, Inc. (NASDAQ: EFJI) announced today that it has introduced the ES series of Project 25 compliant mobile radios. The ES Series provides public safety users with a Project 25 mobile radio that is feature rich, rugged, and reliable. This new mobile radio will be introduced at the International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) February 26 to 29, 2008 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
"Our new ES Series of mobile radios builds upon the success of the ES portable radios we introduced in August of last year," said Michael E. Jalbert, chairman and chief executive officer of EFJ, Inc. "These new radios offer crisp audio characteristics, a wide variety of trunking protocols, and a streamlined design." Key features of the ES series include: operation in Project 25 trunked and conventional modes, Enhanced Project 25 Vocoder, SMARTNET®/SmartZone® trunking protocols, and support for up to 864 channels/talkgroups. The company expects to begin shipping the ES series of mobile radios in the second quarter," Jalbert added.
About EFJ, Inc
Headquartered in Irving, Texas, EFJ, Inc. focuses on innovating, developing and marketing the highest quality secure communications solutions to organizations whose mission is to protect and save lives. The Company's customers include first responders in public safety and public service, the federal government, and industrial organizations. The Company's products are marketed under the EFJohnson, 3e Technologies International, and Transcrypt International names. For more information, visit http://www.efji.com.
Request more product info from EFJohnson Technologies, Inc..
Thank You!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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Samardzija would rather win than earn No. 1 job
By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com
MESA, Ariz. -- Jeff Samardzija is hoping he does enough to win the Opening Day assignment, but says a strong start for the team is more important.
Samardzija tuned up Friday, pitching three innings against the Diamondbacks at HoHoKam Stadium. He gave up one run on one hit and three walks. It wasn't his best outing -- he didn't have good command of his fastball and his split wasn't sharp -- but it was another step.
Last spring, Cubs manager Dale Sveum described the right-hander as a "man on a mission" to prove he could be a full-time starter. And now?
"It's the same but he's on a different voyage," Sveum said. "Last year was to prove he could start, and obviously he did that. Now his mission is to be one of the best starting pitchers in baseball."
Samardzija is hoping the Cubs have a better season. At last July's Trade Deadline, the Cubs dealt several veteran players when it was clear the team was no longer in contention.
"I feel like the beginning of this season could be as important as we'll have," Samardzija said. "Spring Training is really big for us, too, just getting this team together and realizing where we want our lineup to be and everything like that. It's very important, very, very important, especially with guys like [Matt] Garza and these different dudes who are about to be free agents.
"We need to show when they're on this team that we're a more capable team to win games and make the playoffs, and go from there," Samardzija said. "That's for us to prove on the field, and as long as we do that, then you can add pieces instead of taking them away, which is where you want to be."
He understands why the front office would make deals as they try to improve the farm system.
"If we're out of it, I doubt they'll keep the whole team together," Samardzija said. "That's not what our plan is. Our plan is to put them in a tough situation on what they want to do halfway through the year and through September and go from there. If we're doing our job and winning ballgames, they'll have a tough decision on what they want to do. That's our job as players on the field."
Clevenger to get first-base experience with Rizzo out
MESA, Ariz. -- When Anthony Rizzo joins Team Italy for the World Baseball Classic, catcher Steve Clevenger will shift to first base. It could help Clevenger win a spot on the 25-man roster.
The Cubs are sorting out their bench options, and most will need to wait until the third-base situation is settled. Ian Stewart is sidelined with a sore left quad, and if he can't go, Luis Valbuena will shift from utility man to starting third baseman.
There's an opening for Clevenger, who made the Opening Day roster last year as the backup catcher. The Cubs are looking for another left-handed bat for the bench.
"He puts himself in the mix," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said of Clevenger, who is to start Saturday at first against the Giants. "You'll start seeing him play a lot more first with Rizzo gone. I'll get him in at third base, maybe even put him at second base in a split-squad game or something.
"If you can have that third catcher to where you can pinch-run and not worry about the other catcher getting hurt, that obviously comes into the mix," Sveum said. "It all depends on what happens at third base -- a lot of these decisions do."
Clevenger batted .201 in 69 games last season with the Cubs, and hit .224 against right-handed pitchers.
"I played infield when I first signed with the Cubs and I feel comfortable doing it, so it's not a big change for me," Clevenger said. I see [Sveum is] trying to do something to help me try to make the team. I don't feel out of whack playing infield at all. I just want to go out there and take my ground balls and get my work in."
He hasn't played outfield since high school.
"How hard is it to catch a fly ball?" Clevenger said, laughing. "We kind of experimented a little bit in practice last year at Wrigley with [coach Dave McKay]. We worked on throwing and everything. It's a little tough at Wrigley at first with the wind and sun. My first day was in right field. I'm like, 'I don't know if I can do this at Wrigley.'"
He isn't worried about finding an infielder's glove. He'll tap into second baseman Darwin Barney's large supply.
The most versatile player in camp is Brent Lillibridge, who has started at first as well. A right-handed hitter, he can play all infield positions and some outfield.
"I wouldn't say you pencil him in [for the Opening Day roster]," Sveum said of Lillibridge, "but he's really our only player in camp who can do the things he can do, and he's had experience of a little bit of everything -- first base, and obviously, the three infield [positions]. He can catch the ball in the outfield and hit a home run, too. It's definitely a strong posibility [that he makes the team]."
Rondon feels good through two outings
MESA, Ariz. -- Hector Rondon, the Cubs' Rule 5 Draft pick, has looked sharp in his two outings. The only question is whether the right-hander can handle two innings of work in a game.
In his two outings, Rondon has given up one hit and struck out two over two innings.
"I feel really good," Rondon said.
"That was pretty nice," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said of Rondon's outing on Thursday against the Athletics. "The ball was coming out of his hand pretty well. He threw a couple real good sliders, and I didn't know he had that good of one and he threw one with a lot of tilt on it. With health, that might be a pretty good steal."
Rondon, who was the Indians' Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2009, has been slowed by two elbow injuries.
"He has legitimate stuff," Sveum said. "[Thursday], he was 92, 93 [mph] with a good slider, he threw strikes. He's always been a strike thrower. That's nice to have in your back pocket. The guy's always been a strike thrower, and now that he's completely healthy -- the only kicker is we have to get him to be able to throw two innings."
They want the right-hander to build up arm strength so he can throw two innings before Spring Training ends. He's been limited the last three seasons after undergoing right elbow UCL reconstruction surgery in August 2010. He fractured the same joint during winter ball in Venezuela in '11.
Extra bases
• It's been a lot more entertaining to watch Jorge Soler in person than on video.
Soler, one of the Cubs' top prospects, impressed Cubs manager Dale Sveum with a perfect strike on a throw from right to third base in Thursday's game.
"He doesn't just have a good arm but an accurate arm," Sveum said Friday. "That's an added plus to a guy with the tools. A lot of time, you have the arm but it's all over the place. He's got a good feel for accuracy. Even his at-bats -- I know he's striking out a little bit but he's seeing pitches. It's not a premeditated-type swing."
Sveum had not seen Soler live until a workout last fall at Wrigley Field. Spring Training is giving him and the Cubs brass a chance to see the Cuban outfielder in game situations.
"For a young guy, he doesn't play out of control at all," Sveum said.
Soler hit a triple with two outs in the eighth inning Friday, and he is 3-for-12 this spring.
• Starlin Castro's left hamstring was still tight, but the shortstop may be back in a game by Monday. Castro had to leave Wednesday's game after he felt some discomfort. He expected to resume hitting on Saturday in the batting cage.
Matt Garza, sidelined with a strained left lat since Feb. 17, was able to play catch for the second time since he was injured on Saturday. Garza was able to long toss on Thursday for about 15 minutes.
Dontrelle Willis, who came out of Monday's game because of fatigue in his left shoulder, is pain free and has resumed throwing in the Cubs' Minor League camp.
• The Cubs will play the first of five split-squad games on the schedule on Sunday. Nick Struck, who was the Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2012, will start against the Angels in Tempe and Edwin Jackson will make his second spring start against the Brewers at HoHoKam Stadium. The game in Mesa will be Anthony Rizzo's last with the Cubs before he joins Team Italy for the World Baseball Classic.
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.


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Joni:He had 2 new fillies born about 2 weeks ago. Both by his deep gold Palomino stallion. One out of a flashy, rich chestnut, she produced an exquisite palomino filly, the other out of his deep golden palomino mare and she produced a drop dead gorgeous chestnut filly. They are all over you, sniffing, rubbing and insatiable curiosity.
Joni - oh, they sound so wonderful, I love horses but haven't been around them much at all so wouldn't know the first thing about taking care of them. You speak so loving of them, I can hear it thru your words on paper. Now, do what the drs say so you can get better and get back to ridng, it sounds like it's very much a part of who you are. Prayers coming your way.
"I'm just a poor soul who's intentions are good. Oh, Lord, Please don't let me be misunderstood."
Debbie (dear1953)
Oh Nana, It never rains but it pours. You and Lewis are both in my morning prayers. God is the Great Physician and I'll also pray that he guides the doctors and nurses for a full and complete recovery for your DH.
And Kris, Hopefully there will be another breakthrough in medicine that will relieve all the pain you have been experiencing.
And dear Thea, I don't know if I could be as strong or cope as well as you are. Blessings with T & P for you and your mom and the situations you are experiencing.
Joni, when life gets in the way of what we love it's very depressing. But quilters are very resourceful people. After all we make art from what others would throw away. You will find something else to fill the time you can't ride. T & P for a successful therapy so you can get back to what you love.
Prayers going up for Lewis and you. God Bless. (((((HUGS)))))
Millbury, MA
Nana, sorry to hear about Lewis, sending good thoughts and prayers your way.
Thanks for all the prayers. Lewis came home yesterday and is doing ok. He is having a hard time adjusting to lifestyle changes and still being weak but we will get thru this. When they did the cath on Saturday they found 2 large arteries totally blocked and 2 smaller ones 60% blocked. He had also had a previous heart attack that we didn't know about which damaged the back of the heart. Instead of pneumonia he has congestive heart failure. They were able to stent one of the large arteries. The second fed the back of the heart and it was decided that there wasn't any use of trying to stent that one. The remaining blockages are being treated with meds. Now the biggest hurdle will be the change in diet and the stop smoking. We are both taking Chantix and Lewis hasn't smoked since Friday. I am trying really hard but haven't made much progress yet. I am hoping that now that the stress level has decreased some that I will be able to make better progress.
Vinton, Virginia
Nana, I am delighted to hear that Lewis is home. Wow, there will need to be major changes made. I am praying that you both have the strength and stamina to get thru all of the changes necessary. Take care of yourself as you are aking care of Lewis. I pray for extra strength for you to get thru to the other side of non-smoking. That will be the biggest challenge and also the best gift you can give to each other and yourself. Love and prayers for you . Ginny
Nana, I'm praying for strength for both you and Lewis to give up the cigarette habit. I can only imagine how difficult that must be, but the good Lord can help!
On the banks of the Mississippi River in north central Minnesota (Brainerd lakes area)
Hi Nana, Glad to hear that Lewis is home. I know about changing cooking habits because of Bob's cholesterol and diabetes. I do a lot of roasting of meats and veggies. Chicken breasts coated with panko bread crumbs and a bit of Pam spray makes for a nice dish with very little fat and healthier. I also roast cut up sweet potatoes like French fries but spray them with Pam, sprinkle with cinnamon and roast in oven. Delicious and healthy. Lots of those kind of recipes are around and are really tasty. Trial and error. Good luck.
Diana in East Tn.
Nana:Now the biggest hurdle will be the change in diet and the stop smoking.
Nana, thanks for the update on Lewis. My continued prayers that the changes you need to make will soon become habit and the outcome is a healthier and happier life for both. (((((HUGS)))))
Nana your both in my thoughts and prayers.
Quilting My Rainbow
Nana, thanks for the update on Lewis. My continued prayers that the changes you need to make will soon become habit and the outcome is a healthier and happier life for both. (((((HUGS)))))
Marie, I couldn't have said it any better.
Nana, you and Lewis continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Keep the faith, I know you can do this...
Winthrop, WA
I'm praying down here in Richmond, TX for your sweet boy. Prayer is powerful. Thanks for reaching out.
Thanks for the continued prayers. Lewis is doing much better. I am having a hard time keeping him from doing things he shouldn't be doing yet. Decreasing the fat in our diet hasn't been a problem but lowering the salt to where they want it has been a real headache. Even fresh chicken has added sodium. How rediculous.
Thanks for the continued prayers. Lewis is doing much better. I am having a hard time keeping him from doing things he shouldn't be doing yet. Decreasing the fat in our diet hasn't been a problem but lowering the salt to where they want it has been a real headache. Even fresh chicken has added sodium. How rediculous.
It is really tough isn't it! I have been tracking salt and sugar (just preventative measure) myself and have been shocked. Without adding either separately, I am averaging about 150% of what is recommended for a person my age and weight. Pre-packaged foods are the worst!!! I am working to lower the amounts for both DH & myself, so I can really appreciate how difficult it is when it is urgently necessary. This is the beginning of a new life for both of you!!!


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The Joseph L. Andrews Legal Literature Award recognizes a significant textual contribution to legal literature. The textual work may be a book, pamphlet, periodical contribution, website, database, or publication in some other format. Nominations for the Andrews Award shall be measured by the creative, evaluative elements and the extent to which originality and judgment were factors in the formation of the work. The term 'legal literature' is meant to be broadly defined, and includes works that: 1) are bibliographical in nature, listing the works of a particular author, printer, or country, or a particular theme; or 2) contribute to the body of legal literature and that also contribute to advancing legal research or law librarianship. The Andrews Legal Literature Award is specifically designed to honor a sustained writing effort and does not include contributions to social media that have not borne the same level of review.
To make a nomination for the Joseph L. Andrews Legal Literature Award, please fill out the Joseph L. Andrews Legal Literature Award Nomination form below. Electronic submission of nominations is encouraged; however, print submissions are also acceptable. It is not necessary to submit a copy of the work when making nominations; however, the Andrews Award Subcommittee may contact the nominator to request a copy for evaluation purposes if the work is not easily accessible. For nominations of electronic publications, please provide appropriate access information for the Awards Committee to gain access to the publication, including URL, login, password (if necessary), etc. To be eligible for consideration the work must have been published or made accessible to users during the calendar year prior to the year for which it is being nominated for the Andrews Award. The Award is not limited to publications prepared by law librarians or AALL members. The Award is a plaque issued by the American Association of Law Libraries and presented during the AALL Annual Meeting.
Application Information:
Download the Joseph L. Andrews Legal Literature Award Nominations Form.
The deadline for nominations is February 1 of each year.
Please email one copy or mail four copies of the nomination form and supporting documentation to John Davey at email@example.com.
Previous Winners:
2013: Douglas W. Lind, Director of the Law Library and Professor of Law, Southern Illinois University School of Law, Carbondale, IL, Lincoln's Suspension of Habeas Corpus: The Pamphlet Literature and Congressional Debate
2011: None Awarded
2010: Kent C. Olson, University of Virginia Law Library, Principles of Legal Research
2009: William H. Manz, Rittenburg Law Library, St. John's University School of Law, Guide to State Legislation, Legislative History, and Administrative Materials (Hein 2008)
2008: Edward Grosek, Founders Memorial Library, Northern Illinois University, The Secret Treaties of History, 2nd ed. (Hein 2007)
2005: William H. Manz, Senior Research Librarian, Law Library, St. John's University School of Law, Gibson's New York Legal Research Guide published by W.S. Hein
2004: Loretta Price, Acquisitions Librarian and Associate Professor, University of Tennessee, "An Explosive Quarter-Century: A Guide to Monographic Works on Women's Legal and Political Rights"
2003: Richard Leiter, Professor of Law and Director, University of Nebraska School of Law Library, National Survey of State Laws, 4th ed.
2001: Shelley L. Dowling & Mary C. Custy, "The Jurisprudence of United States Constitutional Interpretation: An Annotated Bibliography"
2000: Kent Olson, Public Services Librarian, University of Virginia Law Library, "Legal Information: How to Find It, How to Use It"
1999: Morris L. Cohen, Professor Emeritus of Law, Yale Law School, "Bibliography of Early American Law"
1998: Kendall F. Svengalis, Rhode Island State Law Library, "Legal Information Buyer's Guide and Reference Manual 1997-1998"
1997: Penny Hazelton, Peggy Roebuck Jarrett, Nancy McMurrer, Cheryl Nyberg, and Mary Whisner, The Washington Legal Researchers' Deskbook, 2d edition (Marian Gould Gallagher Law Library, 1996).
1996: Morris L. Cohen and Sharon Hamby O'Connor, A Guide to the Early Reports of the Supreme Court of the United States (Fred B. Rothman & Co., 1995)
1995: Bernard D. Reams, Federal Legislative Histories: an Annotated Bibliography and Index to Officially Published Sources (Greenwood Press, 1993)
1994: Fred Shapiro, The Oxford Dictionary of American Legal Quotations (Oxford University Press, 1993)
1993: Jurgen Christoph Godan, International Legal Bibliographies: A Worldwide Guide & Critique (Transnational Publishers, 1992)
1992: Claire Germain, Germain's Transnational Law Research, A Guide for Attorneys (Transnational Juris Publications, 1991)
1991: Gloria Westfall, Guide to Official Publications of Foreign Countries<~>(CIS)
1990: Arturo A. Flores and Thomas H. Reynolds, Foreign Law: Current Sources of Codes and Legislation in Jurisdictions of the World (Rothman)
1989: Ellen M. Gibson, New York Legal Research Guide (William S. Hein and Company) Igor I. Kavass Soviet Law in English: Research Guide and Bibliography, 1970-87 (William S. Hein and Company)
1988: John W. Williams, A Guide to International Legal Research (George Washington Journal of International Law & Economics)
1987: Paul O'Higgins, A Bibliography of Irish Trials and Other Legal Proceedings (Professional Books, Ltd.)
1986: Paul Finkelman, Slavery in the Courtroom (Library of Congress)
1985: Wilfred J. Ritz, American Judicial Proceedings First Printed Before 1801: An Analytical Bibliography (Greenwood Press)
1984: Simone-Marie Kleckner and Blanka Kudej, International Legal Bibliography (Oceana)
1983: Ted L. McDorman, Kenneth Beauchamp, and Douglas M. Johnston, Maritime Boundary Delimitation: An Annotated Bibliography (Lexington Books)
1981: Dorothy P. Wells, Child Abuse (Scarecrow Press)
1979: Beatrice J. Kalisch, Child Abuse & Neglect (Greenwood Press)
1978: Marija Matich Hughes, Sexual Barrier (Hughes Press)
1977: Sir Leon Radzinowicz and Roger Hood, Criminology and the Administration of Criminal Justice (Mansell)
1976: Fannie J. Klein, The Administration of Justice in the Courts (Oceana)
1975: Helena P. von Pfeil, Juvenile Rights Since 1967 (Rothman)
1974: None awarded
1972: Dorothy C. Tompkins, Sentencing the Offender (Institute of Governmental Studies) and The Prison and the Prisoner (Institute of Governmental Studies)
1971: Harry Bitner and Meira Pimsleur, For contributions to Law Books Recommended for Libraries (Rothman)
1970: Richard Sloane, Recommended Law Books (ABA)
1969: Ralph E. McCoy, Freedom of the Press (Southern Illinois University Press)
1967: Anthony Grech, The Dominican Crisis (Oceana) and The Southeast Asia Crisis (Oceana)
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text: On May 22, at Snow Hill High School Awards Night, the Jesse Klump Memorial Fund announced the 2013 Jesse Klump Memorial Scholar receipient was Torres Byron Savage. The scholarship has a total value of $12,000. Savage will use the scholarship to advance his studies at Towson University. Pictured, from left, are Fund President Kim Klump, Savage and Fund Vice President Leah Klump.


text:
Weaver stands tall amid it all
Righty the glue for Angels staff enduring pain, tragedy
By Lyle Spencer / MLB.com
"It's been a weird season, that's for sure," he said. "Some ups and downs, as far as the pitching staff is concerned. Our offense helped us get through some bumps in the road, and now we have five guys with experience we have confidence in every five days. We've come together, and it's a good feeling."
The season wasn't a week old when Weaver and his Angels teammates lost a good friend, pitcher Nick Adenhart, to a fatal car wreck. Nothing could possibly prepare a team or an individual for those kinds of emotions.
Weaver watched another buddy, Kelvim Escobar, work feverishly to rebound from shoulder surgery, make one promising start and disappear. The shoulder would allow no more.
Weaver watched John Lackey and Ervin Santana miss the opening month and a half of the season to arm issues, come back and search and search before finding what was missing.
Weaver saw Joe Saunders struggle to varying degrees with shoulder issues before going to the disabled list, coming back 19 days later with his All-Star stuff from 2008.
Weaver has seen 13 teammates make starts over the course of a season unlike any other, from Shane Loux and Dustin Moseley to Matt Palmer and Anthony Ortega to Sean O'Sullivan and Trevor Bell.
Through it all, Weaver -- and only Weaver -- has taken the ball every fifth day.
"He's been so good, so consistent," teammate Torii Hunter said of the slender right-hander who proudly calls Simi Valley, Calif., in Ventura County his home. "I don't know where we'd be without Jered Weaver."
Weaver is 15-6 with career highs in victories, innings pitched (194) and strikeouts (164) in his fourth season. He endured a dead-arm stage after a brilliant first half, sending his ERA soaring, but he kept taking his turn and his lumps, knowing how much he was needed with a depleted rotation.
Now, as if by magic, Weaver finds himself nearing the finish line, surrounded by quality starters.
Scott Kazmir arrived from Tampa Bay and has been lights out in three starts (1.86 ERA) even though he has no wins to show for his efforts.
Lackey is back to being Lackey, the lead dog, snarling and bringing the heat.
Saunders is on a roll, four wins in four starts, his fastball command back in fine working order.
Santana hasn't found a groove close to the one he had in 2008 when he joined Saunders on the American League All-Star team, but he's delivering quality work again.
Manager Mike Scioscia is calling it the best, deepest rotation he's had in his 10 years in Anaheim, and Weaver sees why.
"When we got Kaz, that was big," Weaver said of the Aug. 28 trade that sent Sean Rodriguez, Alex Torres and Matt Sweeney to the Rays. "He's done a great job for us already. We just haven't been able to get him any runs.
"We had guys come in and do a great job when we needed them. But some of the guys didn't quite have the experience. It's nice to have five guys who can do the job and who know what it takes, guys who have been through it. Kaz is only 25, but he's already achieved a lot of things.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing what we can do now. It's exciting to be part of this."
Lyle Spencer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
Photo Coverage: Lin-Manuel Miranda and More at BRING IT ON's Album Release Party!
The Original Broadway Cast Recording of Bring It On: The Musical will be produced by Ghostlight Records and available on Back Lot Music, and available for digital download on iTunes beginning September 25, 2012 and in stores October 16, 2012. The cast of Bring It On recorded the album at MSR Studios in New York City on August 9, 10 and 16, 2012 under the direction of Album Producers Alex Lacamoire, Tom Kitt and Kurt Deutsch.
The cast and creative team met up over the weekend for a special listening party, and you can check out and inside look below!
Direct from a 13-city national tour, the limited Broadway engagement of Bring It On: The Musical began preview performances on Thursday, July 12, 2012 at The St. James Theatre (246 W. 44th Street) and officially opened on Wednesday, August 1, 2012. After opening to widespread critical acclaim, the show – which was scheduled to end its limited run on Sunday, October 7, 2012 – is now extended through Sunday, January 20, 2013.
Uniting some of the freshest and funniest creative minds on Broadway, Bring It On: The Musical is inspired by the Bring It On film and features an original story by Tony® Award winner Jeff Whitty (Avenue Q), music and lyrics by Tony® Award-winning composer Lin-Manuel Miranda (iN THE HEIGHTS), music by Pulitzer® and Tony® Award-winning composer Tom Kitt (Next to Normal), lyrics by Broadway lyricist Amanda Green (High Fidelity) and music supervision by Tony® and Grammy® Award winner Alex Lacamoire (iN THE HEIGHTS). The production is directed and choreographed by Tony® Award winner Andy Blankenbuehler (iN THE HEIGHTS).
Bring It On: The Musical tells the story of the challenges and unexpected bonds formed through the thrill of extreme competition. With a colorful crew of characters, an exciting fresh sound and explosive dance with aerial stunts, this hilariously universal story is sure to be everything you hoped for and nothing like you expected.
For more information, visit: www.bringitonmusical.com
The Cast of "Bring It On"
The Cast of "Bring It On"
Lin-Manuel Miranda and The Cast of "Bring It On"
Lin-Manuel Miranda and Kurt Deutsch
Ryann Redmond, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Taylor Louderman
Gregory Haney and Lin-Manuel Miranda
Kurt Deutsch and his son


text: "Long before there was D-Day, there was D-Day in the North Atlantic Ocean for England. In Turning the Tide, Ed Offley delivers the definitive bible of how the Allies in March and May of 1943 turned defeat into victory against an armada of German U-boats determined to strangle resupply lines to England. The book delivers high suspense on the storm-tossed North Atlantic by taking readers inside the U-boats and the Allied convoys as well as American, English and German high commands racing for technological advantage at sea. In the end, Offley's masterful account not only probes what gave each side an edge but reveals the bravado it took for a rather small group of Allied and German sailors to fight to the death in one of history's great naval struggles."Carl LaVO


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In Our Gallery - June
Abandoned to Nature
Visit this wonderful photography exhibit by Abagail Eckert that explores the toll nature takes on abandoned structures throughout the Tri-State area, and the inner beauty that can be found in the dilapidation and decay. This is an excellent way to teach young people about preservation and to remind ourselves about this cycle of nature, too. Ms. Eckert has shown in our Gallery in previous years and always teaches and entertains with her beautiful work.
- 958 reads


text: The transition from one job to another is an inherently tricky business, even for people who are not in the public eye. Any person contemplating leaving one organization to join another owes his current employer the courtesy of not jeopardizing ongoing operations by engaging in public rumination about the prospect of resigning. Jaworski and these other sanctimonious ESPN types talk and write as if Saban's loyalty should have flowed to them, to the sports press, as if Saban owed the public full disclosure of all that he was thinking regarding the Alabama job. In fact, by denying interest in the Alabama job until he had definitely decided to accept Mal Moore's offer, Nick Saban was correctly showing loyalty to the Dolphins organization, which was his professional responsibility for as long as he remained on their payroll.


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Some dads take their sons on camping trips or baseball games. Mine took me to audio technology trade shows. I remember being 9 years old going to the 1986 AES (Audio Engineering Society) show in NY. Studer was still showcasing their analog multitracks! Since then, I've always been like a kid in a candy store when it came to traversing thru convention centers filled with amazing gear!
Anyway, I'm going to NAB in Vegas next week and I'll be vlogging from there but here's what I'm excited about.
In 2006 at the NAB show, I put down a $1,000 deposit for a RED camera. For two years after that, I was laughed at, teased and snickered at for falling for RED's 'scam'.
'It's vaporware and will never come out.' 'Who needs 4K anyway?'
Well, I got my camera 2 years later and loved everything that came out of it. RED and Dalsa were the only companies with 4K solutions in 2007/2008. Dalsa went out of business shortly thereafter but RED survived and thrived. Even after they delivered on their 2006 promise, controversy still raged with the industry's resistance 4K as a viable production and post-production format. There was also the argument that RED's 4K was 'not real 4K' because of the inherent de-Bayering process involved with CMOS sensoring. Lots of FUD, lots of mis-information, lots of resistance to change. 4 years after I received RED camera #187 (yes, 187) the rest of the industry has finally agreed that 4K is indeed the future. This year's NAB is going to cement that.
Outside of RED's 4K (Scarlet) and 5K (EPIC) offerings, there's a few other hi-resolution format cameras that are of interest:
Sony's F65 – 8K sensor that downsamples to 16bit uncompressed 4K imagery recorded to Sony's new SR Codec on their new slick looking flash memory chocolate bars of goodness.
Sony NEX-FS700 – a bit of a surprise – same body design as their NEX-FS100 but is '4K ready' with 4K video output that will be recorded to a future Sony 4K recorder.
Canon EOS 1D-C – this is Canon's 4K DSLR that records 8-bit 4:2:2 Motion JPEG 4K video to CF cards.
Canon C500 – an updated version of Canon's popular new C300 HD camera that will output 10-bit non-de-Bayered uncompressed 4K RAW. What we record that signal to is currently unknown, but there will probably be some 3rd party solutions announced at NAB.
JVC GY-HM150 – yes it's a 4K camera, but it's got a 1/2 chip (not 35mm) so it's not too interesting to me for cinematography.
ARRI Alexa 4K? This would definitely be a wildcard and I hope they announce their 4K plans at the show next week.
Here's what's amazing. With the exception of the Sony F65 and the future ARRI 4K Alexa, these cameras are under the $30K mark. RED shook up the industry from a technological standpoint as well as price point back in 2006 and the industry followed. This is an amazing time for cinematographers and visual content creators. The technology is more accessible and cheaper in cost than ever before. How to get a 'filmic' look from digital cameras is not the conversation anymore – but more about workflows and which camera company's color science and form-factor is right for your project?
But how do we display all this 4K content that we're shooting? I'll be reporting back about 4K displays and distribution devices. I would expect RED to have an announcement on their RED Ray product which last time I checked, could store a full 4K feature film on a standard DVD! 'Everything in life changes… including our camera specs and delivery dates…' is RED's motto so I would expect RED Ray to be a bit different now.
Avid vs. Adobe vs. Apple vs. Autodesk
NLEs baby!!!
Last year, I was amped about Apple's release of Final Cut Pro X… until they released Final Cut Pro X. I didn't blog about it at the time, but initially I was enraged at the product launch like most editors were. I was appalled at the missing features and how 'non-pro' it seemed. There was intense disappointment at the death of a platform that I had lived and breathed since 1999. Final Cut Pro was dead and Final Cut Pro X, a completely new NLE built from the ground up was not going to handle my editing needs. It was definitely a sad day – not unlike how Windows users of Logic Audio felt when Apple purchased Emagic and killed the Windows version of Logic back in 2001.
I had been experimenting with Adobe CS5 due to their incredible RED workflow and like the extremist I am, decided on the day of the FCPX launch that I was going to switch to Adobe Premiere as my new editing platform. But there was also Avid, which I cut on for years before I moved to Final Cut. Both Avid and Adobe was making a huge effort to let editors know that they were listening and were committed to 'pros'.
Smash cut to today. I'm using both Premiere Pro and Media Composer. Both NLEs have their strengths and their weaknesses. Gotta use the right tool for the job – no such thing as the end all/be all NLE. Even though I don't edit in FCPX, I'm still keeping a close eye on it. I like some of the core ideas and the engine is pretty incredible. I feel like it's definitely a look into the future of editing and in a few years, it won't have the stigma it currently has.
Avid Media Composer 6 – released a few months ago, MC6 is a great update. A complete overhaul to the UI which is great because prior to – Media Composer looked EXACTLY like it did when I first started using it in 1994. Yikes. 3rd party hardware support, AMA and ProRes implementation is great and of course, more seamless integration with ProTools is a huge timesaver.
Adobe CS6 – announced yesterday, this is extremely exciting and I will be spending a lot of time at Adobe's booth watching presentations. Premiere Pro CS6 literally looks like what everyone hoped FCPX was going to be, and people jokingly call it FCP 8. What makes Premiere Pro so powerful besides its awesome Mercury Playback Engine, is its integration with the other Adobe killer apps – After Effects, Photoshop, Media Encoder, Encore, etc… It's such an incredibly powerful system – especially for independents.
Apple FCPX – Apple has released 3 semi-major updates to FCPX since its release last year and now supports broadcast monitoring, XML export and multicam to name a few new features. It seems like steady development but it's still unclear how much of the professional market Apple really wants to cater to. My guess is none. FCPX 1.0 was geared towards the future of content creators, those who are creating for the web and single-person shops. No tape support, new editing paradigm, iMovie import before FCP7 import, etc… Their subsequent updates have added more pro features but lets be real – Apple makes the majority of its money from iPhones and iPads. The pro-video market to them is like the equivelent of what human intelligence will be to AI intelligence after the Singularity happens… Insignificant. I kid, but really Apple's bottom line is not affected by video editors, or musicians or any professional customers who aren't buying iPhones or iPads. Time will tell.
Autodesk Smoke – I hear they're announcing a brilliant new version at NAB. Could be revolutionary to the space.
Other cool things? Thunderbolt. GPU Processing. Stereoscopic tools. Super high frame rate capture. Ummm, there's other stuff I'm forgetting until I see it on the show floor.
Whew. Ok. Long blog post. Stay tuned for video blog posts from NAB and further analysis about other cool stuff from the show floor.


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Paying the price
HAWTHORN could have treated the 2012 grand final as the aberration of an otherwise superb season. The Hawks could have accepted the popular view that it was their failure to convert that denied them their 11th premiership.
They might have blamed the unusually gusty conditions. Or the absence of Brent Guerra. They could be pointing to a bounce of the ball, to injured players. They might have scapegoated Clinton Young, now a Collingwood player. They might have let themselves off the hook with that most convenient explanation: ''Had a bad day.''
The Hawks have clutched at none of these straws. Their view of the grand final is that, while it's true they might have kicked straighter, there were other foibles that were evident when they scraped past Adelaide in the preliminary final. The response to the defeat has been forensic and measured.
The recruitment of Brian Lake was the first sign that the Hawks were willing to embrace change, that they would not sit still.
This desire to rectify, rather than stick with the status quo, began at the top, at board level, and is shared by coach Alastair Clarkson, his assistants and the players.
Hawthorn president Andrew Newbold said the club took the view that it hadn't been good enough. ''If the footy world thinks that Hawthorn are sitting back and saying we were unlucky not to win last year, were only a couple of kicks away and therefore if we do the same thing and luck goes our way we'll win it … that's not our attitude.
''Our attitude is we weren't good enough when it counted and we're working bloody hard to work out what areas we need to improve in.
''We can't do the same thing and expect a different result. Some would say to do that is the definition of insanity - and we're not insane. We recognise that in the two last games of the season we didn't play well, and in the last game of the season we weren't good enough when it counted, and we need to turn that around.''
Newbold said Clarkson and the coaches had ''undertaken a pretty forensic exercise on our strengths and weaknesses and the areas we need to improve in and, you know, how we need to take the next step''.
''It's not we had a bad day … How do you ensure that next time we're in that position we'll execute better? We've got to get there yet. If we are lucky to get there, how do we execute under that sort of intense pressure that Sydney, a side like Sydney, brings to a contest?''
In many ways, the Hawthorn failure echoes Geelong's 2008 catastrophe, when the Cats had many more forward entries and blew their opportunities - particularly early in the grand final - allowing the more efficient, underdog opponent to take a flag.
Hawthorn didn't blow it as badly, when one considers that the Cats were some distance clear of the pack in 2008. This year, the Hawks were first among five or six equals during the regular season, but Sydney had superior finals form.
Hawthorn's response to its grand final defeat has been forensic and measured.
The question of where the premiership was won and lost has been examined, not simply by Hawthorn and Sydney, but by 16 other clubs, some of which have completed their own CSI grand final to prepare for season 2013. In war, the victors write the first draft of history. In football, the victors write a script for others to follow and the grand final itself becomes a teaching tool for everyone else.
Hawthorn won most key statistics - it had a huge lead in forward 50-metre entries, contested ball and clearances, and more shots on goal. Conversion aside, it was beaten ''on the spread'' by Sydney, which also had superior defence - down back and everywhere else.
In both the preliminary and grand finals, the Hawks were highly vulnerable to daring counter-attacks when they turned the ball over in their front half. The Crows, in particular, took some chances on the rebound and were willing to use the corridor to catch the undersized Hawks defenders one out, before the midfield cavalry could arrive.
Hawthorn covered for its small back line, in part, by outnumbering the opposition at the contest. Josh Gibson had the role of ''sagging off''', in coach-speak, leaving his opponent to intercept or spoil. But by the preliminary final, the Crows had devised a successful Occupy Gibson movement, namely, kicking to Taylor Walker on the lead and leaving Ryan Schoenmakers exposed on the larger Kurt Tippett - who will be manned by Lake when Hawthorn plays Sydney next year.
Lake will change Gibson's role and the way Hawthorn organises its backline. He will take the monsters, permitting Hawks to risk more one-on-one contests in their defence.
Jarryd Roughead's role, too, seems likely to change. In 2012, Roughead was successfully deployed as the second ruck. By the finals, however, Roughead was labouring with a sore ankle; he was tired and his output dwindled. Clarkson and Co have grappled with the question of whether Roughie ought to return to being a permanent forward, with Max Bailey brought in to ruck and David Hale playing the forward/ruck role. The odds favour Hawthorn going back to the future on Roughead.
In the grand final, Sydney exploited the defensive limitations of Hawthorn's midfield more than it did the small Hawthorn defence. In 2012, the Hawks liked to set up with six forwards, which isolated their excellent strong-bodied, ball-winning mids at stoppages. Problems arose - again, in the game that mattered - when they turned the ball over or didn't win it.
One way to prevent the ageing midfielders being exploited defensively is to push a half-forward upfield to provide another handbrake when the opposition takes off. It would be surprising if Clarkson did not look seriously at this type of insurance.
Tempting as it must have been to see the premiership as gone with the wind, or a simple story of kicking yips, the Hawks are looking elsewhere for answers. In their minds, the fault lies not in the stars, but in thyself.
Jake Niall is a senior sports writer at 'The Age' specialising mainly in coverage of the AFL. He writes a weekly column for 'The Sunday Age' and has been on staff with 'The Age' or 'Sunday Age' since 1995. Jake, who combines original news with commentary, match-based writing, features and analysis, has won a number of awards, including the Alf Brown award for the best performer in AFL media in 2012, the Melbourne Press Club's 2007 Quill award for best sports story in any medium and a Walkley award, shared with colleagues Richard Baker, Nick McKenzie, Caroline Wilson and John Silvester, for best coverage of a major issue (Essendon scandal) in 2013.
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These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.
Got a Great Research Idea? 'All of Us' Wants to Hear It!
January 18, 2018
New NCATS Rare Diseases Research Video
December 27, 2017
Rare Disease Day at NIH on March 1, 2018
December 19, 2017
IRDiRC Goals 2017-2027: New Rare Disease Research Goals for the Next Decade
August 10, 2017
15th International Conference on Human Retrovirology: HTLV and Related Viruses
Sunday, June 5, 2011 -
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Location: Leuven, Belgium
Description: The objectives of the 15th Conference on Human Retrovirology: HTLV and Related Viruses in Leuven, Belgium, are to (1) provide a forum for the presentation of original research pertaining to HTLV-I, HTLV-II, and related human viruses; (2) promote interdisciplinary interaction between basic scientists, epidemiologists, and clinical researchers toward fostering bench-to-bedside research; (3) promote interaction between scientists in the developed and developing world and stimulate international collaboration; and (4) expose students and young scientists to the HTLV research arena and promote their research careers so that this new generation may contribute to the field.
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Is there treatment or a cure for HAM/TSP or for HTLV-1 in general? See answer


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Jr Smith is gonna be HUGE for us vs Miami and Chicago...
anyone notice how he just fit right in today I told guys he is the ultimate role player, there when you need him and he loves big nationally televised games
He played well today, he chucked a bit (6 of 16) but I understand it was his first game and he hasn't practiced with the team yet. IMO he can become a huge part of this team after the all-star break, enough time to integrate.
Great debut. Was impressed by his defense on Dirk. I was wondering why the heck he was on him, but next time we play them I'll have no problem with Smith defending him if he plays him the same way.
Sig made by Sons of Thunder
Considering he hasn't practiced with this team, he played his role very well tonight. Props to him for his effort and his awareness on offense. Some of the shots were questionable, but, as I say, not a single practice yet and well played.
The leak out break was a heady play, and one of my favorites of the game.
^Don't over look his defense as well. I heard people saying he can't play defense when we signed him, he looked like a pest out there tonight.
our team is loaded,thank god we drafted shump instead of singleton btw and also out bench can start for the bobcats,if we mesh together we going deep into the playoffs and im talking about semi finals 7 games series or higher deep.
So far JR smith has seemed to be a great addition. He's eased my fears with his play. It's early but he seems to fit right in, him and B davis and novak can be a dangerous second unit. If we get a big man like Jorts back, they could do serious damage!
Let's...Go...Lottery! Let's...Go...Lottery!!! Say it with me Knicks fans!
Anthony and Smith both had their best years in the pros when they started with one another.
First time I heard good game in 6yrs from my head coach! This Man gives me confidence! - JR Smith via Twitter


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The worst thing about these amassed craps is that its like a ticking time bomb in your colon.
They've been stubborn to come out, but once it wants to come out, you'd better hope its not while your sitting in traffic during your morning commute.
This happened to me once and I was in no mans land. Halfway between home and work, I got off the highway and pulled into an Exxon.
It looked like a hemophiliac crack dealers bathroom, and the toilet had no seat.
This is the kind of bathroom where you want to get in & out as soon as possible without touching anything. But this was another epic dump, with waves upon waves of poop cables weaving their way around the bowl like some sort of foul Play-Doh factory.
I think I went home and burned all my clothes after that one.
Fish, you may have to win some kind of forum award for your posts in this thread.
I'm in tears reading this thread. And I can relate to them all.
OMG! I wish I never entered this thread.....
The weirdest part of the situation is, when you make the stink you can tolerate it.
When someone else makes the stink it will cause you to gag and hurl.
And then there was this ONE TIME....
Well, words can't explain it. So here is a pic.
Rex Ryan joins the conversation:
"Ryan: Oh, men. MEN. Men, let me tell you about the growler I laid down in the toilet this morning. I woke up, felt a **** coming on, sat down on the toilet with an egg and ham burrito, and did my business. And when I got up? MAGIC. There, in my very own toilet, was Bart Scotts forearm. And it was swirling around the bowl. And it wouldnt stop! It was like it had a very small motor attached to the back and just kept on swirling round and round. THAT **** NEVER GAVE UP ON THE PLAY! And I want you boys to be like that **** on Sunday. Always moving. Always circling. READY TO ****ING KILL! Do you understand me?"
15 mins ago:
I walk into the mens room and hear: it smells good in here.
(the smell of buttered popcorn travelled over from the pantry)
I thought "I'll fix that!" and did. Possibly the worst warp core breach I've ever produced at work. So bad that 2 guys coming in were hit by the shock waves and one said "I can't! I'm going to walk down the hall to the other bathroom!"
Since I hate most of these knuckleheads, mission accomplished.
Nice. ^^
When I walk in, and someone's wrapping up somethin like that, I take small breaths, like Detective Phil Cantone at the end of Harlem Nights, and wait to congratulate the guy on outstanding work.
FEED DARFUR (and send toilet paper!)
Someone call a doctor because I feel like I'm about to give birth to the biggest ugliest smelliest baby ever
And I might have used a liiiiittle too much cayenne.


text: So here is my question. What type of lighting is better for the sewing room? I had central room light which did not give off enough light. So I had my son put up some track lights. I just hate these. They cause shadows and the heat is terrible. So should I go with one of those long floresent light fixtures. I need lots of light when I sew. :?:


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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.
LEADERS: Azerane Bam BinkyBunny JerseyGirl LBJ10 LittlePuffyTail LongEaredLions RabbitPam
Post your Photos here.
Contest Rules can be found in the the other thread: http://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/5...spx#302621
Please post all comments and questions in that thread. This thread is for ENTRIES ONLY.
Good Luck to Everybun!
Photoshop entry
Baby the Fairy
Blue is a wizard
Cinnamon is a Bunnicula
"Samantha Meets Samantha" Photoshop Category (background credit Farmville, my farm screenshot)
Cheddy as Cheddy Bear!!! Hoppy early Halloween.
Hodari and I did this Halloween set-up:
She refused to let me wrap the scarf around her - apparently it tickled. And I couldn't find a hard hat to fit her. Lol. Not that she would've worn that willingly either. Anyway, she's supposed to be a construction ( or destruction) worker. Happy Halloween!
This isn't a real entry. It's just a snack for the judges who might want a little Frank and Beans.
Bindi Loo as an Elephant (or Elebun)
Olivia as "The Queen of Hearts"
Well, here she is. Queen of the Darkness herself: Lollipop!
HURRY! Let's see those entries! It's not too late.
I did one more just because it's FUN!!!!
Sammy showed off her new broomstick at our decorated local farm.
Leopold Bunners as Leopold "Butters" Stotch
I had a blue coat too, but Leopold has put on a bit of weight and it didn't fit him.
Photobucket Edit - Pepper trying to be like human Mummy
Photobucket edit - Devil Pipi (finally showing her true nature !)
Photobucket Edit - Piglet Angel
Here is Blossom as Lady Gaga and a Princess!!
'>http://www.binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/afv/post/aft/122110/aff/6/%3Ca%20href=%22http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g297/Mindy410/?action=view¤t=bunny2.jpg" target="_blank">
Here is Dizzie with her costume on. She hated it and I couldn't really get a good pic...she just kept running around!
Here is Cupcake. She hated it also....but for pete's sake, its cute!!


text:
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For more information visit www.tronexcompany.com [1].


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BC's contract is up for renewal next year I think...thus this year is important.
Will he get a a new contract?
Yes - give him new contract
No - do not give him new contract
yes - only if we make playoffs
Keep him regardless - we're heading in the right direction
Fire him now
BC's contract is up for renewal next year I think...thus this year is important.
Will he get a a new contract?
It's just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up.
Muhammad Ali
i think it all depends on how the team does this year. he's been walking a thin line for 2 or 3 years now, I think MLSE and the city of Toronto are on their last straw with him now
Twitter - @thekid_it
We need to keep him....considering the available options.
Plus he wears Don Cherry high collar shirts....which is a good fit for Canadas only BBALL team
It's just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up.
Muhammad Ali
I would have selected Team Option if it was there.
I guess when it comes time to remove BC....we will have to canvas the market for replacement.
Premature-est...yet you and 4 others have contributed to the premature-est...go figure.
It's just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up.
Muhammad Ali
I've been bashed - repeatedly and endlessly - for my views on BC (btw historically a huge BC fan). However the Raps have missed the playoffs for 4 consecutive seasons. As much of a BC fan I am the reality is, as has been thrown in my face numerous times, this is a results driven league. Over the last 4 years, we've not seen results. If results don't come by 2013-14, time to go BC.
I really do not know why you are taking the comment so personally. There was no malicious intent on my part and if you took it that way, I do apologize. This is not the main page comment sections of RR. Everyone in here is pretty respectful of each other and those who are not do not last very long.
You started the thread missing a huge piece of information: team option in 2013-14. With that information, do you not think this is a premature discussion? Maybe a thread about picking up his option would have been more relevant.
But then again, this is just my opinion and it has no more value than your own. So if you don't feel the thread is premature at all, that is cool, carry on. And you are right, I did reply, so maybe I'm wrong on this afterall.
Did we pick up the team option the last time...I believe we did.
Did that make any difference ....
Now the team option is available again...if the team isnt has had enough as you say MATT after soo many years of no-playoffs or what not....why bother with team option.
Trust me I'm a big BC FAN...I voting keep him as we're heading in the right direction. Pre-mature...yes
It's just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up.
Muhammad Ali
Another possible option could be a promotion, where in Stefanski becomes the defacto GM. Colangelo becomes President of MLSE, given his previous background in real estate. Tannenbaum loves the guy, just not surre how much sway he will have on the new board.
Good riddance Teachers Pension!
Well for the teachers, their responsibility is to maximize profit and increase the value of their asset.
The Rogers/Bell deal never made sense if that was their goal (since thwy paid so much). For them it was about securing content and figure out how to sucker more people into buying their products (here come the new channels that we'll need to pay extra for, IMO). For them, there is significant valuee growth in playoff dates...hopefully that equates to commitment for success.
It's much better. In fact it's the best thing next to a single passionate owner taking over.
Rogers & Bell make the most money when all their products are being bought at the same time, so it's not enough for the Leafs and Raptors to just go 82 sold out games and call it that. They need 82 sold out games with big ratings, plus playoff games with even bigger ratings. The only way you're getting ratings is if you're exciting and/or competitive.
They'll still do it for money, but they understand that winning = more money.
Just look at the Jays since Rogers bought them, sure they haven't made the playoffs (which is much tougher in MLB) but they're competitive now, there's always some excitement about them. I'm very optimistic for life after the TPP.
I think we keep him barring improvement, not necessarily playoffs. Our last 2 1st round draft picks brought us guys who can defend (or guys who were labeled as defensively capable). Our last major trade brought us one of the better defending point guards. Our last free agent signing brought us one of the better defending wing players. Playoffs or not, I like the direction this team is going.
All I need to see to be confident in BC is just solid improvement, and it looks like that is what we are going to get.
Get rid of him
1) What have he and the other non playoff bound Toronto GM's done with what they have available to them?
2) He wears Don Cherry high collars
A career in Toronto of failure and once you think he is heading toward a rebuild he starts trading away draft choices and trying to make a splash with Nash. Under others this might have been viewed as part of a plan, under him not so much. No one else available? That is what they said about Triano. Come on Toronto. You don't have to lose. It is not natural... really...
What would you have done different as RAPTORS GM? Think about that now!!!
It's just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up.
Muhammad Ali
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A sad story about loose dogs, one still not found:
Psychic helps man in search for missing dog – Rutland and Stamford Mercury.
A pet owner has contacted a psychic to help trace his dog which has been missing for two weeks.
Peter Smurthwaite's two border terriers, Cyril and Floyd, escaped from his garden in Aldgate, Ketton, just 24 hours after they moved into the village.
He was fixing a hole in the fence when he stopped to talk to a new neighbour and the dogs broke free.
Floyd was knocked down and killed a few hours later but Cyril is still missing and Mr Smurthwaite has been scouring the streets to find him.
Tip: @Blue_wode
Mr. Smurthwaite spoke to the psychic again yesterday. He said: "For three days she has been saying he is trapped in a hole in a quarry. She said he can move but he can't find a way out."
It's very sad to hear that one dog was killed. And, I REALLY sympathize with the gentleman for the loss of his other dog out there somewhere. But, I can pretty much bet that NO psychic ever found a dog. In fact, it's not that common that psychics say they can find lost animals, surprisingly. It's not a spirit or a human so, this seems odd they could connect to it. I hope Mr. Smurthwaite's dog is being cared for while he looks to find it. The best thing he did was to put a microchip in the dog. This provides FAR more hope that someone will figure out to whom he belongs. A psychic certainly can't do it with his false hope and worrying pronouncements. What drivel.


text:
Bank of America agrees to nearly $17B settlement
The deal calls for the bank, the second-largest in the U.S., to pay a $5 billion cash penalty.
The deal calls for the bank, the second-largest in the U.S., to pay a $5 billion cash penalty.
A doctor at the hospital that treated two American aid workers who were infected with the deadly Ebola virus in Africa says their discharge …
More coaches are making their presence felt in a place they weren't always welcomed.
Serena Williams replaced her tennis racket with a microphone at a karaoke event a week ahead of the U.S. Open.
To win the hearts of frequent business travelers, United Airlines is going through their stomachs.
The first episode of Saved by the Bell aired 25 years ago today. Here's a look at the stars, then and now.
For all its horror, the beheading of an American journalist in Syria appears unlikely to change lawmakers' minds about military intervention…
Fewer people applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week, another sign the job market is improving.
A man with the last name Stoner is facing drug charges after police found more than $10,000 worth of marijuana plants at his home.
The often-delayed trial for a Kansas bail bondsman accused of coercing women he bailed out of jail to have sex with him is now scheduled for…
Police say one man is dead following accident
Holder sought to build confidence in the investigation into the death of the black 18-year-old who was shot by a white officer.
Police are searching for whoever stole an 800-pound wok from an Asian cuisine restaurant in Kansas.
Police ask anyone with information to call Detectives at 785-368-9400 or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007.
President Barack Obama sent special operations troops to Syria this summer on a secret mission to rescue American hostages.
Police are searching for whoever abandoned a truck that rolled down a hill and into a Topeka home.
A sales tax increase approved by Leavenworth voters earlier this year is paying off with a 40 percent cut in the city's property tax.
Regulators say they found improperly stored medications, rodent infestations and unlicensed staff members.
Danny Duffy chose to find fault with his fastball rather than his fielder.
The City of Topeka says the health advisory for Wanamaker Creek and Deer Creek last week has been lifted.
City and Kickapoo Indian Nation make new commitment
One Topeka ALS victim's brother looks at campaign with hope.
The Riley County Falcons aim to remain a consistent playoff program.


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wshyang wrote:
How do you choose between the two? I am finding that the Cinnamon/MATE version of the LMDE to be significantly slower than the Xfce version too, so I'm looking to cut down on its footprint as much as possible.
Well, I don't think you would go wrong to install Xfce alongside of MATE, use both, and see which you ultimately prefer. They seem to play well together, you just need to tell Xfce which file manager to use and you are set.


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Stump is a Ph.D. candidate at Boston University in Philosophy. He has an M.A. in
philosophy from Northern Illinois University.
In his book, On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres, Nicholas Copernicus says,
In the center of all rests the sun. For who would place this lamp of a very beautiful temple in another or better place than this wherefrom it can illuminate everything at the same time? As a matter of fact, not unhappily do some call it the lantern; others, the mind and still others the pilot of the world, [a visible god, and that which gazes upon all things]. And so the sun, as if resting on a kingly throne, governs the family of stars which wheel around. Moreover, the Earth is by no means cheated of the services of the moon; but, as Aristotle says...the earth has the closest kinship with the moon. The Earth moreover is fertilized by the sun and conceives offspring every year. (Book I, sec. 10)
This is not exactly the kind of argument we expect to find in the book whose publication date defines the rise of modern science. Of course Copernicus also employs empirical data in arguing for his position, but in the end, his new theory did not fit the available data any better than the Ptolemaic theory did. What is it then that allowed him to make his bold shift to the heliocentric universe? And what role did such metaphysical speculations play in the development of scientific theory? It is in discussing these questions that I offer my answer to the topic of this conference: What difference does Christianity make in our thought processes?
Briefly, my argument will proceed as follows: Using the case of Copernicus as my paradigm, I will first argue for the premise that the picture one has of his world, the weltanshauen or worldview, is the final controlling factor for thought. I build up my concept of worldview from the inside out: first arguing for the constitutive role of metaphysics in the development of science, and the consequent influence of science on the acceptance of metaphysical principles. I call this the dialectic between science and metaphysics. Then at a second level, I will argue that all beliefs whether scientific, metaphysical, political, religious, etc. are interconnected in a web of beliefs which provides the context for the first-level dialectic between them. It is this context that I call a worldview. The deeper level of my dialectic thesis, then, is that the worldview regulates the thought of a person, while at the same time evolving in response to the elaboration of the thought which it regulates.
To round out my argument for this conference, then, I must add the premise that Christianity is a worldview, thus generating the conclusion that Christianity affects ones thought. In conclusion I will note and briefly discuss three objections to my hypothesis.
I begin the argument in earnest, then, with my first premise which comes from a quote in a book that was highly influential in the developing field of the history of science in the first half of this century: E. A. Burtts, The Metaphysical Foundations of Modern Science:
In the last analysis it is the ultimate picture which an age forms of the nature of its world that is its most fundamental possession. It is the final controlling factor in all thinking whatever. (p.17)
The worldview is the "final controlling factor in all thinking whatever". These are strong words. I turn to the history of science for their defense.
A study of the history of physical theory provides ample data for establishing the existence of a dialectical movement between science and metaphysics. The direction of new scientific theories was influenced by and justified by a metaphysical framework that had already been in place. But then with the advance of the wildly successful science, this metaphysical framework underwent revision. This revision, in turn, altered the constraints imposed by metaphysics and allowed for further development in the science which again affected the metaphysics... and so on. Science and metaphysics are seen to advance hand-in-hand, reciprocally influencing each other. Here I can give only a highly summarized account of this dialectic culled from the situation of Copernicus. A more detailed version brings out in greater relief this intercourse between science and metaphysics, but it can be seen well enough in the following story.
The beginnings of the old system from which Copernicus turned can be found in common sense observation of which science is only an extension and classification. It seems to us that the earth does not move; rather it is the sun that rises in the east and moves across the sky to where it sets in the west; it is the moon that moves through the night sky on its monthly trek; it is the sphere of fixed stars that moves around us in slightly less time than the sun takes; and it is the planets that wander in their various courses through these stars. It can only be seen as a natural impulse to place an immovable earth in the center of these other moving bodies. Besides, the earth is much too large to be caused to move. It is made of the element of earth which we see always tends to find its natural place down beneath the elements of water, air, and fire; and earth can only be moved and kept away from this natural place with some effort. The heavenly or celestial bodies, then, must be made of a different kind of stuff, of a fifth element (or quintessence). The heavens are the realm of God and perfection. Accordingly, the heavenly bodies must be made of perfect, incorruptible stuff. And they are, as we can plainly see, the perfect shape: spheres. And they must be immutable as God is immutable, incapable of change. The only kind of movement reconcilable with immutability is movement in a perfect circle with uniform speed; thus there is no beginning or end or change to the movement.
Here we begin to see the dialectic of which I spoke: we start with common sense observations (or rudimentary science), and from these observations possible explanations are posited; such explanations are not directly testable themselves, but they seem to be corroborated by other observations; thus they become established metaphysical principles which constrain further inquiry. A few of the more significant principles that became canonized in ancient and medieval times were:
Let us continue the story and watch how these metaphysical principles are used and altered in the dialectic with science.
The metaphysical principles constrained any possible further scientific developments as follows: More careful observation of the heavens led to more precise plotting of the paths of the planets as they wandered in their irregular paths through the fixed stars. But while the movements appear irregular, we can be assured that this is an illusion because these are perfect celestial bodies otherwise, if they were made of the corruptible element earth, they would fall to the center of the universe or be whirled apart in their rapid motions. The precise science of epicycles was developed, then, to save the phenomenon by demonstrating how these seemingly irregular movements can be resolved into combinations of perfectly circular motions. Briefly epicycles were used as follows:
The simplistic version of the ancient picture of the world, in which the planets moved in perfect circles around the earth, could not account for the times when a planet appeared to pause or even move in reverse in its circular orbit through the stars. As early as the fourth century BC it was demonstrated how the irregular movements of the planets could be represented by a combination of different circles: a second moving circle is posited which has its center on the first moving circle. The planet then rides on this second circle, or epicycle. Using the right combination of size and speed of rotation for the epicycle, from the perspective of the observer on earth, it could be seen how the planet would seem to stop and reverse its course, all the while moving continuously in circles at a uniform speed. The phenomenon was saved and the metaphysical principles were still intact.
But because of greater precision in astronomical observation, this science became increasingly complex by the time of Ptolemy in the 2nd century AD. Epicycles riding on epicycles had to be added. They ended up with a system of some 80 separate circles to account for the motion of the sun, moon, and five planets around the earth. Another mathematical device, called the equant, had to be added to account for the observed non-uniform speed of the planets. This was a point outside the center of the main circle with reference to which the planets were supposed to move with uniform speed (rather than with reference to the earth). Through such contrivances the medievals were able to construct a very precise and reliable system for predicting the motions of the heavenly bodies. But the system was monstrous. The influence that the metaphysics exercised on the development of science here is unmistakable.
It was the violation of uniform speed that offended Copernicus the most in this system. So, upon discovering that a 4th century BC Greek, Aristarchus, had postulated that the sun was the center of the universe and that all revolved around it against the backdrop of a fixed sphere of stars, Copernicus set to work on such a system to see if he could explain celestial phenomena more simply and without violating the metaphysical dogma of uniform speed. He showed how the apparent retrograde movement of the planets could be explained by making the planets orbit the sun and putting the observers point, our earth, in orbit also around the sun in between the orbits of Venus and Mars. Using essentially the same astronomical instruments and tables as Ptolemy did 1300 years prior, Copernicus constructed this new, simpler system and seemingly overhauled the old.
But consider the ways in which Copernicus was still deeply entrenched in the old metaphysical system. He had rejected the use of the equant because it seemed to him as cheating or sleight of hand in getting around the requirement that perfect bodies must move with uniform speed with regard to their centers. Because of this, Copernicus still had to employ systems of epicycles to account for the apparent non-uniform movement. Furthermore, he had to use another device, the eccentric, to account for the actually elliptical orbits because he would only use circles. In the end, without increasing the predictive power over the Ptolemaic system, he could claim only to have reduced the number of circles needed from 80 to 34. He provided a marginally less complicated geometry of the heavens, but in so doing he raised many new questions and made nonsense of many of the explanations that had worked before. Consider some of the new problems his system generated.
First there were a couple of physical implications that his critics correctly noted: the planet Venus, since its orbit was postulated to lie between the earths and the stationary sun, should show phases like the moon shows phases. Also, because the earth moves in space, the appearance of the fixed stars should change with our perspective on them as we move from one side of the sun to the other; this is called stellar parallax. Copernicus could only claim that we cant see these things well enough to be able to detect them. He was right of course: soon Galileos telescope would show the phases of Venus, and in the 1800s we finally had powerful enough instruments to detect stellar parallax. But his solution was hardly justifiable by the evidence he had, and it could only sound ad hoc to his critics.
Copernicus offered even less satisfactory answers to a second class of objections. One of them was: Why is there not a tremendous wind caused by the daily rotation of the earth? Copernicus could only offer an answer within the old metaphysical system that he still largely espoused: he said that the air must partake slightly of the earthy element and so revolve in sympathy with it. But why does the earth rotate? Well, it is of the nature of all earthy matter to collect together into a sphere, and it is of the nature of a sphere to rotate. He thought if you take any sphere and place it in space, it would of its own accord begin to rotate.
Copernicus answer to another objection illustrates my thesis precisely. Why doesnt the earth doesnt whirl apart if it is rotating and flying through space in a circle at the kind of speed demanded by the system? First, Copernicus tried again to justify his theory within the older framework of accepted metaphysical principles. He argued that evil effects could not follow from natural movement; since rotation is the natural movement of spheres, it could never have the effect of destroying the nature of that body. But somewhat frustrated by not being able to convince his critics, he in turn asked them why on their system the stars and the heavens dont whirl apart when they fly through space. In this somewhat rhetorical move by Copernicus, we see perhaps his greatest advance. For it is here that he intimates that the physics of the terrestrial and celestial realms needs to be accounted for by one and the same set of laws. He could not do it yet as he was still working largely within Aristotelian physics and metaphysics, but we see in him an advancement in scientific theory and the consequent development of metaphysical principles.
Of the three important metaphysical principles I listed earlier, Copernicus theory violated two of them. At first this was evidence against the theory, but the theory came to be accepted in spite of these violations, and consequently altered the metaphysical framework. This illustrates the second direction of movement of my dialectic: not only is the range of acceptable scientific explanations constrained by the metaphysics, but also, the range of accepted metaphysical principles is constrained by successful science.
The question to which we must now turn for understanding the concept of worldviews is, "Why would Copernicus and his followers accept this new system and its implications while his critics would not?" Because of the different sets of metaphysical principles accepted, we can highlight in the "whirling" debate alternative pairs of internally consistent beliefs: Copernicus critics thought the heavenly bodies were made of a different element than earth; and therefore they would not whirl apart when rotating like the earth would. Copernicus postulated that the heavenly bodies and the earthly bodies were made of the same kind of stuff, so both would behave similarly when rotating.
These pairs of beliefs point on a small scale to a central feature of belief systems as I understand them: the interconnectedness of our beliefs. To use Quines web metaphor, all our beliefs are connected and mutually dependent on one another. Because of this interconnectedness, revisions in one part of the web necessitate revisions in other parts. When Copernicus made the earth move through space, he had to revise some of the accepted metaphysical principles in order to accommodate this new belief. Also, some beliefs are more firmly held than others. These we can say lie metaphorically closer to the center of the web where there are more beliefs depending on them. Also, beliefs cannot be isolated and tested against experience individually. Rather, the web confronts experience as a whole. Furthermore, the beliefs gained directly from experience must be weighed against the background of the more firmly held beliefs at the core of the web and interpreted accordingly. E.g., even though experience testifies that planets move irregularly, if there is a core belief that they cannot do so, those movements are resolved into combinations of acceptable movements. So the web functions not only as a framework for existing beliefs, but also as a kind of filter through which experience must pass.
There is thus a wider context in place and presupposed by any belief we hold. It is this context, and the core beliefs of the web in particular, that forms what I call a worldview. My first premise then, that a worldview regulates thought, can be seen. Any new belief that I wish to entertain must pass the test of conforming to my context of beliefs. If it is not consistent with this, then I must reject it. Or alternatively, as Copernicus did, I could reject enough of that context so the new belief will not be inconsistent with it. It is the revolutionary periods in science, then, that are characterized by the rejection of large or central portions of this web, rather than rejecting the new beliefs.
So, what was it about Copernicus worldview that caused him to reject the Ptolemaic system and some of its metaphysics and embrace a different model of the heavens? Very briefly, consider some of the influences on his thought that could have lent themselves toward this end:
The shift from the earth to the sun as the center of the universe was perhaps foreshadowed and made more plausible by similarly radical shifts that had recently taken place: the commercial revolution in trade with far away lands and even the circumnavigation of the globe greatly enlarged mans picture of the world. No longer could he blindly assume that the Mediterranean region was the center of all human affairs. Also, through the Protestant reformation and its prior developments, the center of religious authority had shifted from Rome to France and ultimately to individuals.
But we must highlight as most important for Copernicus, the availability of an alternative framework besides the Aristotelian. The rise to dominance of Aristotle in the 13th century surpassed, but did not obliterate the syncretism of Plato and Christianity which had been so important in the first few centuries AD. Especially the Pythagorean variety of Platonism was crucial for Copernicus. This included the importance of numbers and of the exact match between mathematical descriptions and the real world. So since Copernicus system was mathematically simpler, it made sense that this system was in fact the way the world really was. For an Aristotelian, logic not mathematics is the key to the highest knowledge. To set aside a whole worldview because of mathematics would be absurd. For the Platonist, though, it was a natural step. The transformation to the new worldview was for him largely a mathematical reduction. It is significant to note that for the first few decades after Copernicus, it was primarily the mathematicians that were convinced of the new theory. These influences on the thought of Copernicus can be seen to provide a guiding context of thought in which the heliocentric universe made sense. Lacking these, especially the Pythagorean framework, his critics could not view this move as rational.
Notice now that one of characteristics of a worldview as I have defined it is its capacity for developing itself. It is not the case that a worldview is a static collection of beliefs about the nature of the world and our place in it. Rather, because the worldview comes from that web of interconnected beliefs, it changes with the alteration of those beliefs. When the beliefs towards the periphery of the web change, this does not necessarily affect the core beliefs and consequently the worldview. But for core, worldview-defining beliefs such as the centrality of the earth, or age of the universe, or the constancy of the speed of light in all frameworks, if these are caused to be revised, then the worldview, that set of beliefs against which other beliefs are accepted and held to be rational, is caused to shift. With such a shift, then, there is a different range of acceptable beliefs that can be accommodated by the web.
I have argued so far that a worldview regulates ones thought. To conclude that Christianity regulates ones thought, I must add to my argument the premise that Christianity is a worldview. I think for the majority of Christians, this is relatively uncontroversial. The Christian faith for them comprises many of their most cherished and firmly held beliefs, and thus the range of theories that can be accepted, whether scientific, philosophical, or other, is constrained by these beliefs.
A good gage to use in testing how firmly a belief is held is the kind of evidence it would take to give up that belief. What would it take for a Christian to give up beliefs like Jesus is the son of God? If a story were printed on the front page of the New York Times that it has been discovered and confirmed that Jesus was not really the son of God, you would cease to believe in the credibility of the New York Times. If a group of archeologists claimed that they discovered Christs bones, thus proving that he did not resurrect from the dead, you would question the reliability of this group of archeologists. In short, almost anything that could be posited as contradicting the central claims of Christianity would be explained away so that the core beliefs could be held.
Accordingly, even experience is interpreted in light of these beliefs. The splendor of these mountains around us here in Colorado is evidence of Gods handiwork. Instances of loved ones recovering from sickness are answers to prayer. Instances of loved ones failing to recover in spite of prayers are interpreted as the hidden will of God.
Do these examples mean that our faith is unfalsifiable? Not necessarily any more than the theory of evolution is unfalsifiable for its ardent adherents. In both cases there is a set of beliefs that can be held come-what-may by revisions in other parts of the web. It is in this sense that I claim that Christianity regulates ones thought: there is a central core of beliefs resistant to revision, and so other beliefs must be made consistent with these. But still, there are converts into and out of Christianity (and evolutionary theory). No theory is completely immune from revision. The anomalies be they intellectual or emotional can mount up to a critical mass and effect sweeping changes throughout the web.
At this point, objections concerning circularity, objectivity, and self-referential incoherence may be suggested. First, two central features of my description of worldviews seem to involve me in a circle: all thinking is regulated by a worldview, and worldviews evolve in response to that regulated thinking. This sounds like a viciously circular affair. It must be asked how it is even possible that a worldview could evolve under the conditions as I have given them: Would not the regulative function of a worldview disallow any anomalous information to enter that would question or alter part of the worldview itself? I believe the reason that this is not the case must be that the regulative function of the worldview is not complete. Worldviews do not completely determine the thought that takes place under them, but rather they only govern or constrain that thought. This is parallel to the role of metaphysics in the first level of the dialectic. Science is not somehow deduced from the metaphysical principles, so too the thought issuing from a particular worldview is not deduced from it. Hence, though being guided by a worldview, there is always an openness to the system of thought and this allows for development to take place. As I understand the process then, it is not a circle, but rather a kind of spiral that takes place. Theories are presupposed which constrain the kind of observations and evidence that is gathered; but the weight of certain evidence and the holes in the theory can sometimes allow for those presuppositions to be altered, which in turn allows for slightly different kinds of observation and evidence, etc.
A second objection to my theory deals with objectivity. If all thought is regulated by ones worldview, to what extent can we claim objectivity in our beliefs? Where are the objective reference points from which we can judge? Put in another way, how can we know that we are correct in our beliefs? My position forces me to admit that there are no such objective reference points if these are meant to be pre-theoretic observations or thinking that is done under the influence of no worldview at all. But I do not think this admission must lead to relativism. Consider the case of the development of science. In retrospect we can see a clear direction in the development of worldview disputes there: Copernican over Ptolemaic, Newtonian over Aristotelian, the electromagnetic over the mechanical. There is something going on here besides a whimsical preference of one way of thinking to another. Can we say then that even if these theories do not match objective reality itself we are at least getting closer to the objectively true picture of reality? We cannot but feel that we know more about this ultimate underlying reality than did Aristotle or Ptolemy, but can we prove this in a non-circular way, i.e., without assuming the superiority of our own worldview? Ultimately I cannot claim to be able to demonstrate that our theories are closer to the truth than their predecessors this would require the direct comparison with objective reality that I have deemed impossible. But I do claim that it is plausible to believe that scientific theories on the whole are getting closer to the truth. A fruitful comparison here is found in William Alstons work on the reliability of sense perception. We cannot prove that our sense perception is a reliable guide to information about the world without in some way assuming that it is reliable. But this inherent epistemic circularity does not prohibit us from feeling strongly that it is reliable, and it certainly does not mean that it is not reliable. It only means that we cant prove that it is reliable. So too our inability to prove that our theories better portray some objective reality than our predecessors do does not mean that they really arent better in this way.
Finally, to be consistent, I must admit that my thought too, even in the present examination of worldviews, has been guided and regulated by my own worldview. An objection will be raised, then, concerning the applicability of my analysis to those outside of my own worldview or perspective. That is, in admitting the role that my worldview plays in my study and analysis here, have I limited the validity of my conclusions to only those who share my worldview? Or, have I separated intellectual activity into different, incommensurable post-modern islands and put myself on one of them?
I think the answer to this question is no. To answer yes misses the central point of my thesis, viz., that this worldview is not arbitrarily chosen, but is itself the product of the dialectic that has preceded it. If worldviews were arbitrarily chosen and maintained, my admitting that all I do is regulated by a worldview would have grave implications for the applicability of my perspective outside of my own worldview. But since I have argued that this worldview itself is a dynamic structure that evolves in response to criticism and examination, it can enter into cross-perspectival dialogue with others; it can make value judgments; it can claim to have correct answers though of course all these are done from within the perspective of ones worldview, and so are not capable of irrefutable proof. But this does not mean that such worldview-laden conclusions are wrong; it means that they are not final, that they must be critically examined, that they are capable of development.
In conclusion, then, our Christianity does come to bear in our thought processes. It forms a central part of our worldview and is an organizing principle of experience. But again, this commitment is not free from critical examination or development itself. Indeed it is a task of the utmost importance for the intellectual Christian to develop and to show the consistency of a Christian worldview which can dialogue with modern science and which reflects the timeless, absolute truths of the Gospel in our unique culture and generation.