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So I wrote a large peice on Jose that I chose not to save and then proceeded to lose (what use did I have for 4 hours of my life anyways). So instead of re-writing it, and inspired by some recent discussion on him, I decided to take the easy way out, and his name is Solomon Alabi
The Facts
Age 23
Height 7'1"
Weight 251lbs
G 22 GS 16 Min 18.6 Pts 7.2 Rbs 5.3 FG% 51.7 FT% 71.4 Ast 0.4 Turn 1.2 Stl 0.5 Blk 1.8
Blk% 7.8 Reb% 17.1
Not to bad huh. Here I thought he was not that useful. Stats don't lie! On the brink of defensive 1st team......
then reality sets in
G 12 GS 0 Min 5 Pts 0.5 Rbs 1.2 FG% 20.0 Ft% 0 Ast 0.2 Turn 0.3 Stl 0.2 Blk 0.2
Per 2.04 WP -0.3 Reb% 14.1 TS% 0.189
The Opinion
Alabi was actually as close to useless as a player comes last year. Only played in 12 games and all garbage minutes. His statistics, in that limited time, were absolutely atrocious. The good news is its almost impossible for it to get an worse (right?). Actually there is more good news (well maybe I should rephrase that to not bad news) than that. He was drafted 50th overall as raw player with very low short term expectations but long term hope. While it would have been nice to see a little more, what he did should not have been to far below what was expected.
Everything - I don't think there is a single reason to break down everything in the game of basketball and explain why he was bad at it. Even if one believes he wasn't bad at everything, it was close enough. The dude sucked... you know it and I know it.
Knees - Alabi apparently had some knee problems. Much like Ed they don't seem serious or long term, but I would be remissed if I didn't include the same thing I did for Ed. Big men and knee problems are like peanuts and bubble gum, you just don't want them together.
You can't teach height - and Alabi has got it. 7'1" and 250lbs is legit C height and size. Can't complain about that.
Risk vs Reward - Alabi was drafted very low, at worst takes up a roster spot at the end of the bench (which every team has and is bound to have), and has a very cheap salary (tops out at less than 900k through the 2012/13 season). When you value that against he's young, has lots of room to grow, has some potential and has legit size, its an almost can't lose situation for the Raps
Hard Worker - I honestly can't speak to this much but it SEEMS as if Alabi is working hard to improve and doesn't complain. So I'll just throw that out there but don't quote me on it. It could just be that no one cares enough to waste the ink talking about it, but from the limited articles I've read on him its promising
Top End - Jermaine O'neal meets Serge Ibaka. Why the two you ask, well I can picture Alabi's career having parallels to both. If all things go great I can see him pulling a Serge. That is playing his rookie year in the d-league, showing improvement, getting some limited but growing minutes off the bench and then becoming a starter. But I don't see him as a good comparison to Serge as a player. Serge is more mobility, athleticism, speed, agility and energy. I see a closer top end comparison to O'Neal as a player. A legit C, not slow but not exactly fast either. Plays alot of the game closer to the bucket but can hit a jumper and a top notch shot blocker. I highly doubt he can reach a ' JO ceiling', but the reality is we saw so little and know so little about him as a player, why not.
Bottom End - Yogi Stewart. For the most part Yogi was useless... but he did have 1 decent season and he got paid for it. While I can't help but put Alabi's bottom as a could/should be out of the league player, my cynicism can't help but picturing a terrible scenario. Alabi getting some minutes due to injury, plays well in that game, strings together a bunch of decent to good games and then BC signing him to a 5 year 5 mil per year contract. Alabi then proceeds to prove his uselessness and he sits at the end of the bench eating up cap space.
Realistic Comparison - Kwame Brown. I do think if things go reasonably well Alabi could be in this area. That is a serviceable player, can play some D, isn't going to do alot but can fill a back up role and maybe a starter in a pinch. Kwame's claim to fame comes as one of the biggest busts in history, and while I don't want to confuse people into thinking I believe he is a good player, I think he isn't necessarily "that bad". If Kwame was drafted closer to where Alabi was (50th), people would probably view him as a solid pick. That said I hope to god we never see this from Alabi:
There have been more than a few promising articles regarding Alabi over the last month or so (http://raptorsrepublic.com/forums/sh...et-a-FA-center and http://raptorsrepublic.com/forums/sh...n-Joel-Anthony). Which is absolutely great. Unlike other players who a team can't afford to have underplay their salary or to not meet their expectations, Alabi is a can't lose player. If he doesn't do anything who cares? He can play in the D-league in hopes he improves, he can sit at the end of the bench in hopes he learns, and if he doesn't the team hasn't lost much. He's not taking up much salary, he isn't eating away playing time for others and the Raps aren't in a position where they need alot of insurance anyways (ie. contending). On the flip side if he can do something close to what he did in the D-league in the NBA (see the first set of stats above... yeah I didn't make those up), the Raps got a steal in the draft and useful player (and center at that.) If he can do more and be a starting C, and top notch defensive player. Damn! How nice would it be for the Raps to finally have grabbed a talented 2nd round player? Its all a matter of him not getting a pay day and regular playing time until he proves he can contribute consistently. Otherwise the Raps can't go wrong.


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Waffle Fleece Cradle Bedding
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Goodness of Fit Measures in the Tobit Model
It would be useful to have a goodness-of-fit measure that would both facilitate comparisons (1) among Tobit equations and (2) between Tobit equations and OLS equations. This paper suggests a number of possibilities and then provides Monte Carlo results that permit comparisons of the values of different measure. Also it is noted that point (2) suggests that a Pseudo-R[superscript]2 be chosen which is best able to mimic the OLS-R[superscript]2. Under this criterion, a modification of a measure developed by R. McKelvey and W. Zavoina is consistently superior. Copyright 1994 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd
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Volume (Year): 56 (1994)
Issue (Month): 4 (November)
Pages: 485-499
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Nancy Roseanne DeRobertis Harris, 83, of Longboat Key, died Dec. 11.
A native of Chicago, Mrs. Harris studied art, music and culture at The University of Chicago, Wellesley College and Northwestern University. She was a rare-book dealer and one of the first female members of the Antiquarian Bookmen's Association.
Mrs. Harris was involved with the United Methodist Church's women's groups and charitable activities. She had a tender heart for children, people living in poverty and animals. She supported numerous organizations, including orphanages, the Red Cross and the World Wildlife Fund.
In retirement, Mrs. Harris enjoyed traveling with her husband, George, especially to Great Britain, France, Italy and Israel. She enjoyed playing bridge with her friends at the Spanish Main Yacht Club, where she lived for the past 20 years.
She is survived by her husband, George; son, George P.; daughters, Kathleen and Jennifer; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.


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Comes with 1 120vAC and 1 12v DC charger.
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The Aldrich Alert
by Gary Aldrich - Volume 1 Issue 1
In 1993, Bill and Hillary Clinton brought with them to the White House a disrespect for security protocol that still permeates through out our Government to this day. They permitted those with only temporary security passes to routinely enter highly sensitive areas. They stonewalled efforts to properly identify possible security risks. Moreover, they routinely violated security protocols themselves.
When I detailed these national security risks back in 1995 in my book - Unlimited Access, we were only beginning to see the ramifications of Clinton's lackadaisical attitudes towards security.
That same naive and irresponsible attitude is finally now apparent in
the Clinton State Department. Earlier this month, Russian intelligence
officer Stanislav Borisovich Gusev was arrested and expelled from the
United States for spying outside State Department headquarters. He was
caught picking up transmissions from a bugging device placed in a wall
of a State Department conference room.
Russian visitors, journalists, and others were often permitted to roam through the sensitive building completely unaccompanied. Sources at the Justice Department also told the Times that lax security at night and on weekends could have allowed Russian spies easy access to the building. The official also told the Times that the policy that was in place for security guards to inspect ID cards "was imperfectly implemented over a period of time" and was "applied on an episodic basis."
The Clinton Administration is reassuring Americans that the barn door is now closed, and that tighter security measures have been taken to secure our nation's vital secrets. The State Department began requiring employees to show their photo identification cards, and unaccompanied reporters have been confined to the press. The problem is fixed, they claim.
What is confirmed by this and other major security lapses (including the Wen Ho Li/Los Alamos case), and my time in the Clinton White House, is that the current administration is simply not concerned about addressing the security needs of this nation. They have promised repeatedly that they will take the proper steps to protect our nation's secrets. Yet time and again, the truth is revealed, and Americans are faced with the reality of how vulnerable our national security secrets truly are. The inescapable truth is that the problem is not fixed. All that is left to be answered is how long will our learned friends in Congress keep believing the lies of President Clinton.
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The lives of British civilians living in Germany in 1914 were turned upside down when war broke out.
Batley resident Mike Whitehead has recalled the story of his great grand-uncle, who worked in the textiles industry in Germany at the time.
Most of Mr Whitehead's family who worked in the country had returned to Britain before the conflict began, but Charles Frederick Priestley remained and was incarcerated at Ruhleben internment camp.
Mr Priestley was born in Batley in 1875 and worked as a master dyer for Messrs Naylor and Company, an English firm of woollen manufacturers based in Wittenberge, and had spent most of his life from the age of seven in Germany.
The Ruhleben internment camp was a civil detention centre, located six miles west of Berlin, which housed male citizens of Allied countries who were unfortunate enough to be working, studying or holidaying in Germany when war was declared.
A parcel packing depot was set up in Batley, allowing relatives of prisoners of war to send food and supplies to family members imprisoned overseas.
Mr Priestley became the head of the parcels department at Ruhleben, where inmates had a degree of autonomy, and exchanged letters with the depot in Batley about the condition and frequency of food supplies sent to the camp.
He became a key connection between the residents of Batley and their civilian family members imprisoned in Germany.
During the war there was pressure brought upon the government to offer an exchange of civilian prisoners, but these arrangements often encountered trouble and opposition from military officials, who were fearful of returning thousands of men capable of fighting back to Germany.
A man from London, who was a prisoner alongside Mr Priestley, said on returning to Britain that conditions at Ruhleben were not improving and the men would starve without the help of food parcels sent from home.
He said: "No stone should be left unturned to get an exchange arranged for us all."
Mr Priestley was released from Ruhleben in the summer of 1918 and wrote from Holland that many prisoners who were supposed to be repatriated were still incarcerated there and in dire need of food and clothes because parcels had stopped being delivered when news of their impending release reached Britain.
On his return, Mr Priestley recounted stories of helping camp officials deal with a fire and mischief at meal times.
But other returning prisoners from internment camps spoke about toil and brutal treatment at the hands of their captors.
Charles Frederick Priestley was the son of Alderman Frederick Priestley and the brother of James Joshua Priestley, who was twice mayor of Batley in the 1950s.
He died on December 9, 1956, in Dewsbury.


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Paula Deen
About the Author
Paula Deen is the bestselling author of Paula Deen's Kitchen Classics: The Lady & Sons Savannah Country Cookbook and The Lady & Sons, Too!; Christmas with Paula Deen: Recipes and Stories from My Favorite Holiday; Paula Deen: It Ain't All About the Cookin'; Paula Deen Celebrates!; The Lady & Sons Just Desserts and Paula Deen & Friends: Living It Up, Southern Style. She is the host of the Food Network's Paula's Home Cooking and Paula's Party. She lives with her family in Savannah, Georgia.


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Luvyle Inc Asymmetric Hem Slit Party Dress Luvyle Inc Asymmetric Hem Slit… sunshine coast
- Publish Date: 05-19-17
Luvyle is dedicated to delivering high-quality clothing to women that will make them look and feel their best. We believe every woman has the right to dress well, and shouldn't have to spend a lot to love how she looks. We make it easy to wear outfits you…Read more


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Is the 'Scott Brown Era' of Politics Coming to a Close?
Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown's surprising January special election victory made him an instant Tea Party hero and threatened the survival of health care reform. But it passed anyway, and then Brown voted for every other Democratic bill. Will he survive?
Remember this man, "Scott Brown"? He drove a pickup truck and was usually naked, in magazines. These things were good enough to win him John F. and then Ted Kennedy's Senate seat of 60+ years. On election night, he vowed to kill health care reform, and then tried to auction off his daughters (one of whom was a fameball.) Everyone wanted him to become president immediately.
But two months later, Nancy Pelosi's House passed a version of the health care bill that the Senate had passed before the "Scott Brown Era," and it became law. Ever since, Brown has provided the Democratic leadership with crucial swing votes on financial regulatory reform, the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" repeal, the START Treaty, and... what else? Oh yes, the one that started it all: A "yes" vote on some forgotten "jobs bill" from 10 months ago, which was just a couple of unoffensive small business tax credits.
Why did he vote "yes" for all of these commie bills? Because he represents Massachusetts, duh. But the Tea Party still wants to kill him in 2012, when he has to run for a full term:
No primary challenger has emerged, and it is unclear whether a newcomer could wage a serious fight against Brown and his $6.8 million war chest.
But the threat of a primary challenge from conservatives - as well as the potential that national Tea Party groups will withhold financial support - appears to have grown, according to the movement's activists. Brown's votes in the past week follow his crucial support for the overhaul of financial regulations, which remains a particular sore point with conservatives.
"I think that there will be a primary challenge,'' said Christen Varley, president of the Greater Boston Tea Party. "There's enough of an underground movement in the Tea Party movement as seeing him as not being conservative enough. There probably will be multiple people who attempt to run against him.''
Who could beat Scott Brown, the "White Barack Obama," in a Massachusetts Republican primary? Are there any actual smart people in Massachusetts? Maybe that smart Harvard janitor guy from Good Will Hunting. He was smart at math and history. Who was this diamond in the rough? It was Matt Damon. Matt Damon is the only Massachusetts Republican who could beat Scott Brown in a primary.


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EVERY Marvel Comics' SEPTEMBER 4 Preview
Here's every preview for Marvel Comics on sale September 4, 2013, including X-Men Battle of the Atom #1,
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Dodge/Plymouth Neon Maintenance and Repair
courtneyhigh Posts: 2I don't have my headlights on in the daytime.... any other suggestions?
Kirstie_H Posts: 11,042You might have better luck with this one in our answers section:
Go there and post a question describing the problem(s) you're having. To check for responses, go back to that link and click "my answers profile" near the top of the page.
Need help navigating? firstname.lastname@example.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
Share your vehicle reviews
ash_blds Posts: 1did you ever figure it out because mine has the same problem
I bought a neon from the auction and the car has not ran since I got it home. When I first got it, it would die when come to a stop. I have since replaced the catalytic converter the exhaust pipes the transmission and the battery. I still can't get the car to run the cat lights up red when the car is first started on a cold start. Does anyone have any suggestions for this problem.
2000 Dodge Neon makes screaming noise when accelerated. Sounds like the belt but have heard it could be water pump.
dsj1979 Posts: 2well its about time to answer questions I geuss.
ok for those looking for loud noises find a brick on accelerator and apply the gas pedal while car is in park or neutral while hood on car is up till squealing noise is going on. Dont!!!! do this for long go to the front locate where noise is coming from if and I believe it is sound should come from left front near head light area thats water pump buy refurbished one and be prepared to pay about 300 in repairs tire has to be removed then wall then peices of motor and the antifreeze has to be drained. Not fun had it done.
afords341 Posts: 1
Hey there! I also have a 2005 Neon SXT. I had the exact same problem! For about 2 weeks when it started to occur, I found that putting the car in NEUTRAL then turning the car off for about 10 seconds and turning it back on would quickly fix the problem (for a few hours). I know that is not ideal but it worked for me.
I then took my car to the shop and got the CO2 sensor replaced and the KNOCK sensor replaced and it fixed the problem. Exactly 1 year later the same thing started happening again. I got the same 2 sensors replaced and it has not happened since (about 5 years now). For the 2 sensors and labor it cost me about $300 total each time. Hope this helps!
FYI - I love this little car! However, mine has A TON of electrical problems!!
@neonproblem said:
Have a 2005 Neon SXT in the shop for 3 weeks now, dealer can not find problem, has even contacted Chrysler for advice but they can not fix it. Runs fine until I get to 63 mph then cruise control shuts off and it will not go any faster. Code P0340 (cam position sensor) came up when we took it in so the cam sensor was replaced, didn't fix the issue
irronman Posts: 1So my daughter put a quart of atf in her engine. Will it hert her engine


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They neglected one huge piece of the puzzle. TWO teams have to head to Arizona if Reds do. Ballpark Digest did they heard that Orioles were having some problems finalizing their deal in Ft Lauderdale.
The lowest acceptable payroll amount for ownership to show they are not greedy pigs is 15 million more than they are currently paying. No matter what that currently is.
True, and one rumor had Milwaukee looking at Vero. I still think AZ is long shot.
The lowest acceptable payroll amount for ownership to show they are not greedy pigs is 15 million more than they are currently paying. No matter what that currently is.
I'd love it.
Get your nunchucks and the keys to your dad's car. I know where we can get a gun
Starin' hard at the postcards
Isn't it odd and unique?
Seein' people smile wild in the heat
120 degree
'Cause I wanna be free
Wait until the year after next year.
I'm not a fan, keep em in Florida
Go Gators!
Can't wish for anything better then the desert and the Reds in March.
I hope this never happens. If it does, there will be a lot fewer fans attending, including me and two others in my family, because it costs a whole lot less to drive three people than it does to fly three people.
You'd be absolutely surprised how many Ohio license plate show up a spring training. I can't imagine that will continue, not in high numbers anyway.
"Enjoy this Reds fans, you are watching a legend grow up before your very eyes" ... DoogMinAmo on Adam Dunn
And I don't understand why Milwaukee would move to Vero - they have a brand new ballpark complex in Maryvale.
The only teams that don't have parks built in the last decade in Arizona are
Oakland - who had the Phoenix Muni completely rebuilt in two-three seasons ago.
Anaheim - Just signed a long term deal with Tempe to stay
White Sox - Moving to Glendale
Diamondbacks - Not an option to move to Florida
Rockies - Probably the only real team that has an old ballpark and would be looking to move - but the chances of them going to Florida would probably be slim and none.
So the chances of a team moving in the other direction would be extremely remote.
And to put my two cents in about the potential move.
I'm 110% on board with this being an excellent move for the Reds - beyond the obvious fact that they would be moving into my backyard.
The Reds would be assured of a brand new facility (with the exception of the Tucson move)- with all the trims & fixins they don't have right now in Sarasota.
The weather in AZ in March is just about 2nd to none in the US. The Phoenix area has loads to see besides Reds baseball, and all the stadiums are about an 1-1 1/2 hours apart. The two Tucson Stadiums are 100 miles south of Phoenix - a drive you can make in 2 hours on a normal day. That proximity can't be matched in the Grapefruit league. For a traveling fan's standpoint. That means easy planning for potential trips - you can catch a glut of games due to ease of travel.
I work far Southeast end of the metro area - and I can leave work at 11:45 and still make it to the 1pm Royals game in Surprise during ST.
The rundown on the potential sites mentioned in the Republic article
Goodyear is the furtherst Phoenix Suburb from the main part of town - but the idea of pairing with Cleveland is an excellent one. KC & Texas have an outstanding Facility in Surprise - and if they have any sensibility they'll clone a good chunk of it for another two team complex. The downfall of both the Surprise & Goodyear locations are they are the extreme outlier of the Phoenix Suburbs - the teams are miles away from civiliazation (not that it won't catch up with the stadiums soon, that's why they want to build them). Surprise has the space for a third team because there simply is nothing, I repeat, nothing near the stadium for miles in every direction.
Casa Grande has been the long time halfway point between Phoenix & Tucson - having seen a huge explosion of growth in the last 2 years due to metro Phoenix simply spreading that far south. Pinal County - where Casa Grande is located, was one of top counties in the nation for population growth last year. Same downfall as Goodyear & Surprise - Casa Grande is still a smallish city with lacking amentites for travelling visitors (hotels, restaurants, sites, etc).
Tucson Electric Park is location wise, the best choice mentioned. TEP sits right on I-10, and is a short jaunt from everything in Tucson. And Tucson is an excellent place to visit - 40 minutes from the border if you're feeling continential and has numerous world class resorts, sites and so on.
Downsides to TEP would be - The White Sox are trying to leave as soon as possible, and the Tucson Sidewinders - who occupy the stadium during the season - are moving to Reno next year. You have to ask why both teams are jumping ship and what makes the Reds want to walk into a potential mess?
Last edited by jmcclain19; 11-13-2007 at 08:50 PM.
It's the desert. I used to live in the desert.
Another thing that made Sarasota so attractive for the family spring vacation, besides ST of course... the beach! Siesta Key is soooo great. AZ doesn't even come close.
"Enjoy this Reds fans, you are watching a legend grow up before your very eyes" ... DoogMinAmo on Adam Dunn
Board Moderators may, at their discretion and judgment, delete and/or edit any messages that violate any of the following guidelines: 1. Explicit references to alleged illegal or unlawful acts. 2. Graphic sexual descriptions. 3. Racial or ethnic slurs. 4. Use of edgy language (including masked profanity). 5. Direct personal attacks, flames, fights, trolling, baiting, name-calling, general nuisance, excessive player criticism or anything along those lines. 6. Posting spam. 7. Each person may have only one user account. It is fine to be critical here - that's what this board is for. But let's not beat a subject or a player to death, please.


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Ausmus, Francona have history with Tigers
By Jason Beck / MLB.com
DETROIT -- The Tigers-Indians rivalry last year featured two close friends as managers in Jim Leyland and Terry Francona. The Tigers' new skipper also has a history with Francona.
Before Francona got his first Major League managerial opportunity in Philadelphia, he was a coach on Buddy Bell's staff in Detroit. Among his players was a newly acquired young catcher named Brad Ausmus.
"He's definitely a player's manager, and he was a player's coach when I was here," Ausmus said Wednesday. "Tito and I always had a lot of fun, whether it was on the bench or in batting practice. I think he understands that a 162-game baseball season can be a little bit stressful, and he does a good job of taking the stress off the players."
Their friendship continued after Ausmus was traded to Houston and Francona got the Phillies' managerial job.
Getting Avila hot is crucial for Tigers' lineup
DETROIT -- The Tigers returned to the comforts of their American League lineup Wednesday, designated-hitter spot and all, which meant moves up in the order for Ian Kinsler, Torii Hunter, Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez. It did nothing for catcher Alex Avila, who remains in the seventh spot as he tries to work his way out of his rough start.
It's nothing new for Avila, who hit .183 (13-for-71) last April on his way to a .177 first half, and .220 (13-for-59) in April 2012. At 3-for-23 with 14 strikeouts, though, it's a rougher start than he had through eight games of those previous seasons.
The slump has countered what manager Brad Ausmus said has been an excellent effort behind the plate, notably in terms of calling games.
"He's done an excellent job behind the plate calling the game. He's a smart catcher," Ausmus said. "That's hugely important at the Major League level, especially over the long haul. He's scuffled a little bit with the bat.
"He's obviously a much better hitter than he's shown so far, so we're hoping he can snap back into some better at-bats. But his defense, really his game-calling, has been outstanding."
Avila's approach has been somewhat different, even if the numbers so far are similar. He has been more aggressive at the plate early in counts, swinging at 14 out of 30 first pitches, according to STATS. He has put just five of those pitches in play, though, resulting in two of his hits, two outs and a sacrifice bunt.
It's a small sample size, but Avila's rate for previous seasons has been about a third or less.
Ausmus said aggressiveness has to be situational.
"There's times to be aggressive," he said, "and there's times to be a little bit more passive. With men on base, men in scoring position, that's obviously a time to be more aggressive, because it might be the one pitch you get to drive and drive the runner in. But it varies from at-bat to at-bat. There are other times you prefer hitters to be more selective."
Avila's drop to the seventh spot in recent days coincides with the rise of Nick Castellanos. When the season began, Ausmus didn't want to put his rookie third baseman in a high-pressure spot, keeping him more in the bottom third of the lineup.
"I don't want to throw Nick in the heart of the lineup," Ausmus said, "but I just think Nick's handled himself pretty well, so I don't feel as uncomfortable putting him in the sixth spot."
There's a vested interest in getting Avila's offense turnaround, beyond simply getting production out of the catcher's spot. Avila's slump coincides with the Tigers' struggles with a righty-lefty balance in their lineup. The only other left-handed batter in Wednesday's lineup was switch-hitting designated hitter Martinez.
The Tigers have left-handed bats on their bench, including Don Kelly and Tyler Collins, but an Avila turnaround would by far have a greater impact on the lineup.
"He would be a huge asset if we could get Alex hot with the bat," Ausmus said. "He will get hot with the bat at some point. We're hoping it's sooner than later, though we have a stretch I think of five lefties in six days coming up pitching against us. …
"He's important offensively. As much as the defense of the catcher and the game-calling of the catcher adds to the team's success, we need Alex to swing the bat."
Miggy aims to get back to all-fields approach
DETROIT -- Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera said Wednesday he's feeling more comfortable with the adjustments he has been making to get back to his all-fields approach at the plate. It didn't yield him any hits in the spacious right field of Petco Park. He's hoping it brings better results back in Comerica Park.
"I feel better," Cabrera said. "Got to get back."
He's trying to get back to the one-handed finish to his swing that produced a lot of his opposite-field hits. Cabrera had gotten into a two-handed follow through last year during his injuries, and it left him pulling more pitches this season.
Cabrera says he feels healthy now, but he's still trying to get back to the healthy swing.
"The last two series, Dodgers and San Diego, they give me good pitches to hit," he said. "The last two games I feel better."
Cabrera had a well-hit ball to the opposite field in each of those two games after not hitting a ball to right field with authority for about a week.
Though Cabrera feels healthy, he said he has a daily regimen of core exercises that he has to do to stay that way after core muscle surgery last fall.
"I think after the season, I'll be able to go to the beach with no T-shirt," Cabrera joked.
Smyly set to face Angels in his first start of '14
DETROIT -- Tigers left-hander Drew Smyly's first start of the season is now set for Friday's series opener against the Angels.
Smyly was originally slated to face the Indians on Wednesday, but Tuesday's postponement pushed Anibal Sanchez to that game and forced Smyly to be pushed back yet again. Unlike the rainout against the Royals last homestand, which knocked Smyly out of the rotation for more than a week, the difference this time is just a couple of days.
The difference will be more about the opponent than the day. While Cleveland's lineup is loaded with left-handed batters and switch-hitters, the Angels' lineup leans right-handed, especially now with Josh Hamilton and Kole Calhoun out. Their two primary run producers, Albert Pujols and Mike Trout, both bat right-handed, as do David Freese, Howie Kendrick and Erick Aybar.
That said, the Angels have so far hit right- and left-handed pitchers about the same.
Max Scherzer will follow Smyly in the rotation, facing the Angels on Saturday. Rick Porcello, who had been on track for Friday, will instead pitch Sunday's series finale. Porcello will now miss next week's four-game series against the White Sox, a team he beat four times with two no-decisions last season and a 2.13 ERA.
Quick hits
• The Tigers held a moment of silence before Wednesday's game for amateur scout Rolando Casanova, who passed away last weekend after battling cancer. Among the players Casanova recommended and signed during his 11 years with the Tigers is Castellanos. Casanova is survived by his wife, Silvia, and his two sons, Adrian and Gabriel.
• Former Tigers outfielder Brennan Boesch is on track to make an appearance at Comerica Park this weekend with the Angels, who called him up Wednesday from Triple-A Salt Lake City to replace injured outfielder Kole Calhoun. Boesch played in Detroit from 2010-12 before the Tigers released him in Spring Training last year. He played 23 games with the Yankees last year, including their three-game series in Detroit to open the Tigers' home schedule.
• Though Tuesday's Indians-Tigers game was postponed just before 2 p.m. ET, five hours before game time, Ausmus said most of the players were already at the park for early hitting in the cage, and some were able to get in some brief infield work. "My fingers were frozen putting gas in my car," Ausmus said.
Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. Read Beck's Blog and follow him on Twitter @beckjason. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker rejected federal HrSR funding for the Badger State in 2010, citing the need to control spending. Among other reactions, Seattle-based Talgo USA sued Wisconsin last November for roughly $50 million, based on the state's decision "to terminate its contract with the State of Wisconsin to build passenger trains to be used by the State for Amtrak's Hiawatha line between Milwaukee and Chicago."
The Federal Railroad Administration has selected the Illinois Department of Transportation to manage the multistate procurement of at least 35 next-generation locomotives for HrSR routes in Illinois, Michigan, and Missouri in the Midwest, as well as HrSR operations in California (not the state's true HSR development) and in Washington state.
Illinois, meanwhile, likely also will use some of the funding for purchase of 88 HrSR passenger cars to be used in five Midwest states, already announced, with the perk of seeing the equipment built within the state at Nippon Sharyo's new plant in Rochelle, Ill. Nippon Sharyo is building the equipment in a joint venture with Sumitomo Corp. of America.
Gov. Pat Quinn said the decision to redirect the funds through Illionis "is a testament to Illinois' role as a national leader in high speed rail [sic]."
Wisconsin, along with Ohio, rejected federal funding to advance HrsR in 2010, followed by Florida, which spurned funding for a true high speed rail project in March 2011. Efforts by some states to divert rail funds for highway purposes were sharply rejected by DOT Secretary Ray LaHood.


text:
Skip to comments.Disputed articles in Egypt's draft constitution
Posted on 11/30/2012 10:46:01 AM PST by Hoodat
CAIRO (AP) -- An Islamist-dominated panel is voting on Egypt's draft constitution, the country's first charter after the uprising that toppled Hosni Mubarak. The draft largely reflects the conservative vision of the Islamists, with articles that rights activists, liberals and Christians fear will lead to restrictions on the rights of women and minorities and civil liberties in general.
Omissions of certain articles, such as bans on slavery or promises to adhere to international rights treaties, were equally worrying to critics of the new draft, who pulled out from the panel before the vote.
Here are some of the disputed articles:
. . .
(Excerpt) Read more at hosted.ap.org ...
Happy Arab Spring Obama!
Obama's and Holder's people on roids.
Sore he.he.hemmoroids, poor sick ratbastards. You would think Obama and Holder would be smart enough to have some foresight.
"thank" you Obama for such leadership.
1. There is no idol god but allah.
2. You will hate the Jooos and eliminate them, even if you have to crawl through the snow.
3. Women are haram and you must treat them like dogs.
4. Behead anyone who draws a cartoon of Mo.
5. That's pretty much allah for now.
I think you've summed it up.
(For the video, we need the sound of Obama cheering in the background....)
They did.
Better a Muslim slave than a free Christian!
The Muslim Winter sets in and it was Spring weather just a short while ago.
The Arab Spring is more like "Springtime for Hitler".
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.


text:
Getting parents involved at the secondary level has always been a challenge as students gain independence and learn to investigate on their own.
Educators are driven to develop their students into independent learners, teaching them lifelong skills to build a successful future. But what if mom and dad and maybe even an aunt and uncle were on the same page? What would it look like to have students work side-by-side with them in the classroom?
It would look a lot like a Mesa View Middle School classroom in Calimesa — or rather, a Mesa View engineering lab.
Instead of parents dropping off their kids in the morning and picking them up in the afternoon and not seeing them in between, parents and students greet the scent of freshly cut wood and machine oil together. Mesa View's STEM program requires that students use a variety of tools, from a screwdriver to a bandsaw. With both teacher and parental guidance in the classroom, students design, measure, cut and build projects of their choosing.
In Darlene Pitman's Applied Science class, students are engineering everything from bird houses to speakers to skateboards to sink covers for the science labs.
Every student at Mesa View experiences the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics — STEM — program. This is the first year it's been available to everyone. Before, STEM was an elective and access was limited.
"It's a great program and I'm glad to see something like this has finally made it into the school system," said volunteer Dean Fehler, father of eighth-grade student Kenny Fehler.
Fehler donates every Friday he is available to helping students use tools properly, solve engineering problems, cut wood for projects and more.
Several parents who are unable to donate time have instead donated materials, tools and hardware. Greg Bogh, father of student Lainey Bogh, made an egg drop gantry that students use to test and compete in an egg drop engineering contest.
Corporations such as Home Depot also have contributed large items, such as a drill press for Rick LeVan's sixth-grade classroom.
Since implementing the STEM program into the Mesa View curriculum this year, there has been an obvious increase in parent involvement. The school's STEM Academy is designed to guide students into careers in the technical field, and having parent support for this goal makes its achievement even more attainable.
Together, parents and staff are helping Mesa View students successfully shape their futures by giving them access to real-world applications in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Kellie Pennino is a science and STEM teacher at Mesa View Middle School.


text:
I need your help for removing the follwoing compilation error.I had developed the code in VS 2005 and now I am trying to compile the same source in VS 2008.
But during comilation I am getting following error.
Embedding manifest...
.\WorXTypeLib.exe.intermediate.manifest : general error c1010070: Failed to load and parse the manifest. The system cannot find the file specified.
Shilpi Gupta


text:
The recognition by True West magazine, a publication with a 60-year reputation in its mission of preserving the American frontier, was announced Wednesday by Claude Legris, executive director of the Fort Smith Convention & Visitors Bureau. The announcement was made before about 60 people crowded into the meeting room of Miss Laura's, the historic riverfront building and former bordello that houses the city's Convention and Visitors Bureau.
This marks the eighth year that True West has presented the award. Determination is based upon criteria demonstrating how a town has preserved its history and commitment to preserving its Old West heritage through old buildings, museums and other institutions, events and promotions of historic resources.
An article focusing on Fort Smith will appear in the February issue of True West, which should be on newsstands Jan. 1. Included in the article are photos of Civil War re-enactors firing cannons at the Fort Smith National Historic Site and the recently installed downtown statue as a tribute to Bass Reeves, a celebrated deputy marshal in the service of Judge Isaac Parker.
Legris said a team of community members familiar with Fort Smith history and its preservation worked with the CVB staff in researching and preparing the 12-page entry form submitted to contest judges. Fort Smith competed for the award last year, an effort that earned judges' observation that Fort Smith is "a town to watch."
Legris said accolades for the accomplishment belong to the hundreds from the community who have made recognition of heritage a priority in Fort Smith. He cited a brief history of the efforts, extending from the efforts of former CVB President Dee Carroll and the encouragement of Polly Crews, a longtime champion of Fort Smith history and tourism. Legris said Crews "told us for years our future was in our past. As usual, Miss Polly was right."
He also recognized work by organizations and individuals who have worked through the years to enhance the city's Western heritage.
Fort Smith Mayor Sandy Sanders said the "outstanding recognition" of the city by True West will communicate to a wider audience "all the exciting things Fort Smith has to offer." He also noted the cooperative effort in preparing the applications exemplifies the community spirit at work in the city.


text:
Trades Support CFPB's Non-Working Spouse Amendment
In general, both NAFCU and CUNA support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's rule that would amend Regulation Z to allow non-working spouses easier access to a credit card.
However, the two trade associations differed over some details in their comment letters.
The proposed rule, issued in October 2012, would remove all references to an independent ability to pay requirement for credit card applicants 21 years of age or older that was added to Reg Z by the Federal Reserve after the CARD Act was passed in 2009. The change would make it easier for non-working spouses and partners to obtain credit.
Tessema Tefferi, NAFCU senior regulatory affairs counsel, wrote in his comment letter that his trade strongly supports the proposed rule, calling it a "common sense change."
"The CFPB should move swiftly to finalize this rule with an immediate effective date," he said.
However, Tefferi added that NAFCU encourages the CFPB to also amend Reg Z's ability to repay rule for share-secured credit cards. Because the borrower's ability to repay is secured by assets, there should be no need for ability-to-repay analysis, he said.
CUNA also supports the proposed rule, but Assistant General Counsel Luke Martone wrote in the trade's comment letter that lenders could open themselves up to litigation when determining whether an applicant has a "reasonable expectation of access" to a working spouse's income.
"We believe this could occur not only in instances where the issuer denies the applicant upon determining a lack of reasonable expectation of access, but also in instances where the issuer determines such access exists yet denies the applicant based on other aspects of the issuer's underwriting process," Martone wrote.
To remedy the potential problem, Martone suggested the CFPB grant sole discretion to the card issuer in determining whether the applicant has reasonable expectation of access to shared income, and whether to further extend credit to the consumer. Martone also asked the CFPB to further clarify what factors an issuer may consider when determining a reasonable expectation of access.
CUNA also took issue with one of the CFPB's four examples of when an applicant may or may not have reasonable expectation of access to household income. The questionable example assumed a non-working applicant has no access to household income, but the income is regularly used to pay the applicant's expenses.
"We believe it would be prohibitively difficult, if not impossible, for smaller credit card issuers – including credit unions – to verify the fact pattern," Martone wrote.
Martone also requested the CFPB clarify how reasonable access would apply to marriages in community property states, if a single application form could be used for working and non-working applicants, and if the rule could be applied to non-working spouses under the age of 21.
The proposed rule would impact more than 16 million non-working spouses, present in approximately one-third of all U.S. marriages, according to the Census.


text:
European colonists upon their arrival in the 17th century encountered Algonquian-speaking Delaware Indians. The city of Burlington, settled by Quakers in 1677, was the capital of the West Jersey colony from 1681 and then alternated as provincial capital of New Jersey with Perth Amboy from 1702 to 1790. Another historic Quaker settlement was Mount Holly, the county seat. The city of Bordentown was attacked by British forces in May 1778 during the American Revolution. Batsto Village is a restoration of an 18th- and 19th-century iron-making village. Other communities are Willingboro, Pemberton, Mount Laurel, and Medford.
The county was created in 1694 and named for Bridlington (or Burlington), Eng. By the 1880s its residents were harvesting half of the nation's cranberries. Today cranberries remain one of the county's primary crops; corn (maize), barley, and soybeans also are grown. Burlington county has the largest area of any county in New Jersey. Area 805 square miles (2,084 square km). Pop. (2000) 423,394; (2007 est.2010) 446448,817734.


text:
I recently did a clean upgrade from 9.x to 10.2 ZA. Back in version 9, all of my 2010 and 2011 Hoyle Games worked fine. Since doing the "clean" upgrade install, none of the 2011 Hoyle programs work. I have gone into ZA, Application Control, and added the exe's for the programs-that did not help the Hoyle Games. I have also tried changing ZA to "Game Mode" and that did not help. I then tried turning off ZA and that did not help. In all 3 cases, it crashes the 2011 Hoyle games.
I have a Windows XP SP3 pc with plenty of disk space (2 TB) and memory (12 gig). Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Below are the specs for ZA:
ZoneAlarm Security Suite version: 10.2.074.000
ZoneAlarm license key: never post your License Key in Public it may compromise your subscription
Vsmon version: 10.2.074.000
Driver version: 10.2.074.000
Antivirus engine version: 188.8.131.52
Antivirus signature DAT file version: 1092187040
AntiSpam version: 220.127.116.1171
ZoneAlarm Browser Security: 1.5.395.0
ZoneAlarm ForceField Spyware Scanner: 220.127.116.11


text:
American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd. (NYSE: ASI) announced today
that Stephen R. Crim, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Mark W.
Haushill, Chief Financial Officer, will present at the New York Society
of Security Analysts 17th Annual Insurance Conference at the
NYSSA headquarters in New York City on Tuesday, March 19th, 2013, at
12:25 p.m. EDT.
A real-time audio webcast of the presentation will be available at www.amsafety.com.
A replay of the broadcast will be available via the website for 30 days.
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subsidiaries and affiliates are rated "A" (Excellent) IX by A.M. Best.
For additional information, please visit www.asih.bm.
[ Back To Insurance Technology's Homepage ]


text:
Police are investigating a series of thefts in which two women apparently used a young girl to steal wallets and purses from shoppers in Queens stores last week.
Authorities say the child walked behind the counter at a clothing boutique on Bell Boulevard in Bayside on Wednesday and took a wallet from someone's bag.
Police say the girl was seen giving the stolen wallet to one of the two women she was with. The group then left.
The owner of the store said she watched it all play out on surveillance video.
"It's very shocking because I have three kids of my own," said Margaret Papacotas. "I can't imagine any child being taught to steal, and I'm sure that's not the first instance."
An hour and a half later, police say the same child stole two purses from customers at a thrift shop on Corporal Kennedy Street while clerks were helping other patrons.
The store, Worthy Pause, donates all its profits to help animals in need. A worker at the shop said Tuesday it was "child abuse" for the women to coax the girl to steal.
Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-888-577-TIPS.


text:
Joel Griffiths handed three-match ban
An already-depleted Sydney FC have been hit with a fresh blow ahead of Saturday's crucial A-League match against Newcastle with striker Joel Griffiths suspended for abusing a linesman.
Griffiths was suspended on Friday evening after a review of an incident in the Sky Blues' loss to Melbourne Victory last weekend by a reconvened A-League match review panel.
The incident happened in the 89th minute of the round-18 fixture and Griffiths was charged with "use of offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures against a match official".
The 33-year-old faces a three-match suspension. He will serve a mandatory match suspension against the Jets and can appeal the additional two-game suspension.
Sydney FC chief executive Tony Pignata condemned Griffiths' behaviour.
"Sydney FC is disappointed with what happened late in the game last weekend against Melbourne Victory that has led to Joel Griffiths receiving a three-match suspension," Pignata said in a statement.
"Sydney FC prides itself on setting standards in community behaviour and we expect our players to uphold those standards and set a good example.
"Joel has shown remorse for what happened and Sydney FC will consider its options in relation to appealing the severity of the suspension."
The A-League's match review panel usually convenes earlier in the week but it's understood they did not receive information on Griffiths' outburst until midweek.
It's not the first time Griffiths has been involved in a controversy involving match officials. He appeared to punch a linesman in the groin when playing for Newcastle in 2007, but escaped further sanction on a technicality because he received a yellow card at the time.
The suspension denies Griffiths the opportunity to play alongside brother Adam and against his other brother Ryan, in what would have been the first time three brothers had played together in an A-League fixture.
Griffiths is the fifth change forced on Sydney coach Frank Farina for the match against the fifth-placed Jets who sit two points above the Sky Blues on the A-League ladder.
Socceroo Brett Emerton (back) has been ruled out of the match with the Jets, against whom Sydney have lost twice already this season. The Sky Blues also are without Yairo Yau to international duty with Panama while defenders Fabio and Tiago Calvano are serving one-match suspensions.
Goalkeeper Ivan Necevski returns from an ankle injury to take Matthew Nash's place on the bench while Terry Antonis, Peter Triantis, Nathan Sherlock, Paul Reid and Aaron Calver have been recalled to Farina's extended 18-man squad.
Farina bemoaned his continued bad luck at training on Friday before the news of Griffiths suspension.
"It's certainly had its moments (this season). We are probably five or six down from last week but that is the reality of it - we have to live with it and just get on with it. Every day in football is a challenge," Farina said.
"When you are on a bit of a rollercoaster ride like we have been, it tends to stay that way. We have to continue to keep working hard, take what we have got and keep battling away."
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text:
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text:
Away on international duty, Crew striker Jairo Arrieta and Costa Rica will square off with Honduras Friday night in a pivotal 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier at the Estadio Nacional in San José. La Sele is currently in third place on the CONCACAF table with four points, ahead of the United States on goal differential after three matches. Costa Rica's roster is highlighted by Arrieta and fellow MLS standouts Álvaro Saborío, Rodney Wallace and Roy Miller. La Sele and Honduras kick off at 10:00 p.m. ET on beIN SPORT.
The United States is also in action tonight as Jürgen Klinsmann's squad takes on Jamaica at Independence Park in Kingston at 9:30 p.m. ET on beIN SPORT.


text:
This study is provided by ICPSR. ICPSR provides leadership and training in data access, curation, and methods of analysis for a diverse and expanding social science research community.
Historians and the Taisho Statesmen (ICPSR 7608)
Principal Investigator(s): Chang, Richard
This data collection contains data from questionnaire sent to 68 historians in Japan for their assessments of 18 statesmen active during the Taisho period in Japan (1912-1926). The data include biographical information on the respondents, such as birthplace, year of birth, Marxist or non-Marxist affiliation, university of graduation, status (e.g., professor, assistant professor, or doctoral candidate), faculty (discipline), and academic specialization. The file also includes the historians' assessments of the Taisho statesmen on an interval scale of five, from most important, most influential to least important, least influential. For a related data collection, see HISTORIANS AND THE MEIJI STATESMEN (ICPSR 7653)
Access Notes
Data in this collection are available only to users at ICPSR member institutions. Please log in so we can determine if you are with a member institution and have access to these data files.
Study Description
Chang, Richard. HISTORIANS AND THE TAISHO STATESMEN. ICPSR version. Gainesville, FL: Richard Chang, University of Florida [producer], 197?. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 2002. https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR07608.v1
Persistent URL: https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR07608.v1
Export Citation:
- RIS (generic format for RefWorks, EndNote, etc.)
- EndNote XML (EndNote X4.0.1 or higher)
Scope of Study
Subject Terms: biographical data, educational elites, government elites, historical periods, nineteenth century, political history, political influence, Taisho period, twentieth century, Japan
Geographic Coverage: Global
Universe: Japanese historians.
The codebook is provided by ICPSR as a Portable Document Format (PDF) file. The PDF file format was developed by Adobe Systems Incorporated and can be accessed using PDF reader software, such as the Adobe Acrobat Reader. Information on how to obtain a copy of the Acrobat Reader is provided on the ICPSR Web site.
Sample: In this sample, 68 historians were interviewed who had knowledge of the level of influence of various statesmen in the Taisho period.
mailback questionnaires
Original ICPSR Release: 1984-05-03
Related Publications
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Export Study-level metadata (does not include variable-level metadata)
If you're looking for collection-level metadata rather than an individual metadata record, please visit our Metadata Records page.


text:
Voyages of the NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson
There are many ships at work right now in the Gulf of Mexico responding to the devastating consequences of the Deepwater Horizon explosion. Some are skimming the water to collect oil, some are burning off the oil. Some are busy digging a relief well. However, there is at least one vessel that is using this tragedy as an opportunity to conduct scientific research. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) ship, Thomas Jefferson, is using acoustic and fluorometric scanning to detect oil under the surface.
The ship set off from Galveston, Texas on an eight day mission into the Gulf of Mexico, and returned to port on June 11. The purpose was to investigate the distribution and presence of subsurface oil coming from the rig explosion. Water samples were collected and analyzed by agency officials and scientists from the University of New Hampshire and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
"NOAA is extremely concerned about the health of the Gulf of Mexico and the well-being of the millions of people who depend on these waters for their livelihoods and pleasure," said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. "I'm pleased that agency and academic scientists continue to innovate and explore ways to bring the absolute best science to inform the response and recovery efforts."
First, the science team would sweep the underlying waters with acoustic and fluorometric sensors to detect aberrations in the water column. Then they would take water samples to determine if the aberration was actually oil.
An acoustic sensor uses sound waves and is often referred to as SONAR which is used commonly in submarines. Passive acoustic sensors listen to the sounds in the water. Active sensors emit pulses of sound and then listen for the echo. An oil plume would have different sound reverberation than the water.
Fluorometric sensors use light waves to determine the shape of an oil plume. A beam of light, usually ultraviolet light, is scanned throughout the water. The light can excite electrons of certain molecules and cause them to emit their own light at a lower energy. This is the same concept behind glow-in-the-dark posters or stars that can stick onto a wall. The oil would have different fluorescence than the water.
The Thomas Jefferson made several initial observations including:
1. Subsurface oil was found 7.5 nautical miles southwest of the wellhead at 1,100 meters in depth by observing high fluorescence and reduced dissolved oxygen.
2. An acoustic anomaly was also found in the same area.
3. Natural gas was also found in an area of known gas seepage southwest of the spill site.
4. Fluorometric sensors have shown to be an extremely effective method to detect water masses in shallow waters.
Another expedition is underway for the ship, Thomas Jefferson to gather more data in the coastal zone. Any information on subsurface masses discovered in the coastal zone would be shared with other researchers and emergency responders.
The situation in the Gulf requires an all-hands-on-deck approach, and NOAA is doing its part to provide accurate data on where the oil is. Knowing where to find oil is just as important as cleaning up the oil. The work is sure to be difficult and ongoing.
Link to full NOAA Mission Report


text: There's always been lots of time travel in the Trek universe, how about one involving a ship trapped in the past? Maybe the far distant past, when the Q were still evolving? I'd love to see this--something where all the most powerful and advanced races were still in their infancy, just getting out among the stars. Or, how about a Trek trapped in the future--the Federation has fallen, and the ship is weaker (to a significant, but not crippling, degree) than whatever race/federation/etc. is currently running things.


text:
"One of the biggest challenges facing the global transportation industry today is the massive amounts of rich data being gathered but underutilized by urban transportation enterprises," says Urban Insights Director, Analytics Wade Rosado. "By applying big data tools and transportation-specific data science processes, our consultants will transform the way agencies do business. Our predictive analytics tools and techniques will present information in compelling data visualizations and help decision-makers comprehend the factors that drive efficiencies as well as influence traveler choice. When we identify stress points in the transportation network, we can help agencies define actions to remedy those situations."
"The transportation industry is already a leader in the volume and variety of data that is generated by onboard sensors and data collection points introduced by passenger counting systems, vehicle location systems, ticketing and fare collection systems, and scheduling and asset management systems," Rosado says. "Existing data warehouses contain unprecedented potential for deriving insights into planning and managing transportation networks. Still, use of conventional data management tools and practices means these insights remain mostly hidden."
The technology supporting Urban Insights' consulting and services practice is a distributed data management and processing platform that isbuilt upon Apache® Hadoop. It is "highly scalable and capable of handling the large volume of data generated by systems supporting the transportation industry," says Rosado. "The solution also consists of a leading‐edge business intelligence and discovery suite."
"What sets Urban Insights apart is its transportation sector expertise, which informs how we apply these state-of-the-art tools and data science techniques to convert terabytes of disassociated data into strategic and operational assets that will transform entire transportation networks," says Director, Business Development Phil Silver. "The Urban Insights approach helps transportation agencies improve the way they provision services and ensures that resources are optimally allocated to meet the needs of travelers. For example, the San Diego Metropolitan Transportation System (MTS) is using the new service to gain visibility into commuters' complete journeys as they connect between bus routes or trolley services on the way to their final destination. The MTS and others are challenged to comprehend these journeys because systems record unlinked travel segments. To convert these unlinked trips into journeys, Urban Insights fuses together data from five independent sources, applies its analytic models, and uses this information to identify opportunities to improve and align services. The process pinpoints incongruencies between the current scheduling and resource allocation with the way riders actually use the services, enabling MTS to take action and better serve travelers."
"In the future, these same tools will help influence behavioral change among travelers and directly influence travel choices," adds Rosado. "Urban Insights relies on process improvement and the application of advanced analytic techniques to help evolve existing transportation networks and the way they operate, in order to move more people faster, more conveniently, and at a lower cost."


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DARNAH, Libya, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- At least one Islamist militia in Libya said it would disband amid the backlash over the violent attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi.
A political activist in the eastern city of Darnah said the Abu Salim Brigade announced its intentions to give up its bases and there were unconfirmed media reports in Libya that a second organization would follow suit, The New York Times said Sunday.
The announcements came after a major demonstration in Benghazi called for militias formed during last year's rebellion to cease operations. Some protesters moved against bases of an Islamist militia tied to the Sept. 11 consulate attack that left four Americans dead.
Darnah has a reputation for being a stronghold for staunch Islamist militia groups, The Times said.
The Times said the anti-militia sentiment has some in the new Libyan government concerned. The government relies on some militias to act as a de facto security force, and losing those groups could cause a breakdown of order and a potential power vacuum that militants could exploit.
Some officials urged patience and negotiation with extremists who were not likely to go quietly. "You can't come to these bodies (militias) that already exist on the ground and tell them that I want to finish you, or that I want to integrate you," Saleh Joudeh, a member of the Libyan Congress told The Times. "If we do that we're fooling ourselves and we're fooling the people."
But some protesters insisted the hard-line Islamists groups had to go sooner rather than later because they were focused on their own agendas and weren't providing much in the way of law and order.
"They say they are handling security, but what security do we have?" said Ashour Bentaher, a political activist in Darnah. "There are assassinations, there are bombings, kidnappings -- what security?"


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The Cubs have agreed to a 1-year, $10 million deal with left-handed hitting 1st baseman Carlos Pena. Pena is a great person in the clubhouse, but at 33 years of age, he could be on the downside of his career. During the 2010 MLB season, he did hit 28 HR's with 84 RBI's, but he also had a career-low .196 batting average and he struck out 158 times in 484 at-bats. These numbers are down from his earlier 3 seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays — in 2009, Pena hit .227 with 39 HR's and 100 RBI's and a .356 on-base percentage; in 2008, Pena hit .247 with 31 HR's and 102 RBI's and a .377 on-base percentage; and in 2007, Pena hit .282 with 46 HR's and 121 RBI's and a .411 on-base percentage.
Out of all the options (or lack of options) for GM Jim Hendry and the Cubs, this was my lead candidate. Being a great clubhouse guy is important, plus it will be nice for the Cubs to have a power-hitting left-handed hitter in the lineup. If you can accept the fact that he is going to strike out a lot in big situations, but still put up solid numbers at the end of the season, you will be thrilled with the Pena signing. Pena will also be reunited with Rudy Jaramillo – his hitting coach when he started in the Texas Rangers organization.
The Cubs clearly couldn't afford Adam Dunn or lure Paul Konerko away from the South Side White Sox, so Pena was the next best option. Let's hope he stays healthy and has a bounce-back year in terms of a better batting average and on-base percentage.


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Robert,robertk wrote: The reply is this: if any of the nikayas now extant in Theravada have a broken lineage then the Bhikkhus in them are not in fact bhikkhu as the ordination was invalid. However, there has been no proof of this at all. To take the case of the Dhammayut and mahanikaya in Thailand. the Dhammayut was not a new order- it came about because one monk decided to reordain under burmese mon monks. And while he may have had some doubts about the purity of the mahanikaya monks he never proved or even stated that the Mahanikaya were a broken lineage.
If one man was ordained as a Bhikkhu by a preceptor who had knowingly kept secret a parajika offence (and therefore wasn't a monk at the time of the ordination ceremony) would you still count him as a Bhikkhu?
What about if monks were being ordained in a siimaa that was invalid? Would their ordinations be valid?
Or if the person ordaining had an unusual way of pronouncing the Pali during the ceremony and often got it 'wrong', would their ordination be valid?


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I would like to thank those of you who endured the first installment in this 4-article series on overvalued businesses and have actually returned to subject yourselves to the second piece; I sincerely hope you both enjoy it.
In this, the second installment, I want to illustrate how valuations that were potentially reasonable on a smaller business become simply absurd when the business becomes large. One of my favorite ways to illustrate the difficulty of maintaining high growth rates as size increases is my tale of the compounding pennies. I use this example to illustrate to young investors the immense benefit of beginning wealth accumulation at an early age and sticking with a plan for the long term. If goes like this and it is mathematically correct. If you start with a penny and double what you have each day, on the 31st day, you will have $21,474,836.48! I know it doesn't sound possible, but it is. Even on the 20th day, the amount is only $10,485.76 with only 11 days left. And this is where it begins to become impossible to continue the growth. The same is true for businesses.
- Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Signs with AMZN. Click here to check it out.
- AMZN 30-Year Financial Data
- The intrinsic value of AMZN
- Peter Lynch Chart of AMZN
The Dollar Value Of Growth Can Soar While The Percentage Falls
Think about it in these terms. If a business had $6.92 billion in sales in 2004 and increased those sales to $74.45 billion in 2013, it would represent an exceptional rate of growth; but, it would be conceivable that it could happen. However, for the same business to continue to grow at the same percentage rate for the next 9 years would require that the sales grow, not by the $67.53 billion as it had for the past 9 years, but by $725.88 billion! The sales growth in dollars would have to increase by 11-fold simply to maintain the same percentage rate as the previous 9 years.
Analysts and investors tend to fall in love with previous figures when it comes to rising sales dollars and percentage growth figures over past years and forgot that sales dollars continuing to only rise at the same pace in the future will cause the growth rate in percentage terms to collapse. When the growth rate percentage begins to decline in the results actually being reported, investors flee in panic and stock prices can fall far more and faster than most shareholders care to imagine. Generally, the analysts are the last ones to figure it out and change the recommendations on the stock. As I said in the first installment. Analysts don't get fired for being wrong with the crowd, they get fired for being wrong all alone.
When analysts are wrong with the crowd about a business that was formerly growing sales at the kind of exponential pace like the one discussed above, the valuations assigned to the business by the market and its herd mentality can drive values to unbelievable heights. Businesses in these situations can sometimes trade at absurd valuations like 291 times the current year's projected earnings when the consensus analysts' projections earnings growth rate for the next five years is only around 32% per year.
Just Because It Sounds Crazy Doesn't Mean It Isn't True
Just like the compounding value of a penny over 31 days sounds completely ridiculous but is true, the absurd valuation of a publically traded business I have described above is true as well. The numbers I have used to describe its current valuation and results are real as well. Even more, the business is a name known to just about every person in America and large numbers of others all around the world. The business is Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN).
Amazon.com currently boasts a market capitalization of 159.31 billion and reported sales of $74.54 billion for 2013. These are very impressive numbers. So much so that among the 29 analysts covering the stock 21 currently have it rated as a "strong buy", 3 have it rated as a moderate buy and 5 have it rated as a hold. Not a single analyst covering this stock rates it below "hold". Here is a business that is already selling $74.45 billion of product/year that is trading at a price to earnings multiple of 290.92 times projected 2014 earnings?
To make this situation even more ridiculous, the average net profit margin for Amazon over the last five years is a miniscule 1.7%. Just so you don't think I used the five-year average net margin because the business is showing signs of improvement in the recent margins, the one-year net margin figure is 0.38%. If Amazon is able to return its net margins back to the five-year average of 1.7%, it would generate enough money from net margins to pay off investors in just under 59 years. Would anyone care to argue that this is in any way a reasonable valuation for any business? Well, I guess I should have asked if anyone other than the analysts who cover the stock would like to make the argument. 24 strong and moderate buy ratings on a stock trading at 291 times their own earnings projections for the current year? I wonder if the "strong buy" recommendation makes them feel compelled to plow their own "hard earned money" into Amazon stock at these levels? This makes it a little more clear why we don't see the "customers' yachts" I asked about in the first installment, doesn't it?
You Always Have To Finish The Job
Just as I did in the first installment, I want to illustrate that not all the "hot names" on Wall Street run a business that returns value to the shareholders just because they carry a big price tag and have a media darling like Jeff Bezos as a CEO.
While Amazon carries, what appears to be a reasonable debt/equity ratio of 30%, it only generates enough cash to cover the interest payments 4.63 times over and also pays no dividend to its shareholders. But, to be completely honest, there are other metrics to consider when determining value being returned to shareholders.
Returns on equity, assets and capital are three excellent measures by which investors can judge the ability of a company's management to reward shareholders by increasing the overall value of the business. In the regard, Amazon's respective 5-year annual returns of 10.6%, 3.7% and 9.1% make its current market valuation seem to be not much more than a poor joke. Unfortunately, it is a joke that is going to make a great many shareholders much poorer as well when the market comes to its senses.
If Amazon were to trade at a reasonable valuation of one times its projected earnings growth rate multiplied by 2015 estimated earnings for 2015, the share price would fall by 74% to around $90. I would imagine by the time it reached that level, at least a few of the analysts that love it so much at $346 would begin to reconsider what you should do with your money. By the time the last disgruntled shareholder finally sold at around $60, the value minded people like me would be enticed to buy their shares.
Final Thoughts And Conclusions
I don't have a crystal ball so I can't tell you when the share price of Amazon will return to something resembling a reasonable assessment of its fair market value. I don't need a crystal ball to know that it will return there are some point. I have also been around long enough to know that it will happen when virtually no one expects it and the fall will not end until everyone is convinced that the business no longer has any value. That is when the long-term value investors finally get up off their collective butts and begin to take action.
The when doesn't matter to a value investor. I am not selling the shares short so I don't care when the price correction might come; I just know with great certainty that my money will not be caught in the avalanche of selling when it does.
Amazon serves a valuable role in providing consumers with convenient access to just about any product you can think of at some of the best prices available in the world. I am thrilled that the business exists and I make purchases from them on a regular basis. I just don't think the stock is a compelling investment opportunity from the long perspective and I have no way of predicting when the shares might move to a more reasonable valuation which precludes me from selling the shares short. When in doubt, I don't lose money if I sit it out.
About the author:
He is a full-time copywriter as well as a freelance contributor to several investment related websites.
Ken also prepares analysis pieces of individual stocks on a contract basis for other individual investors.


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NICOSIA (Reuters) - Conservative leader Nicos Anastasiades easily won the first round in Cyprus's presidential elections but failed to avoid a runoff vote, reflecting deep divisions among Cypriots on a bailout deal to save the island nation from bankruptcy.
A financial crash in Cyprus could reignite the euro zone debt crisis and investors are keen to see Anastasiades, the strongest advocate of an international rescue, clinch victory and secure a bailout, even though that too, has its drawbacks.
Analysts said the 66-year-old lawyer looked likely to win the February 24 run-off, but that the strong combined showing of his two main rivals who campaigned against austerity showed the depths of anti-bailout anger in the nation.
"It is a victory for the forces who want us to turn a page," Anastasiades, 66, said after the results were announced.
A lawyer who has led the Democratic Rally party since 1997, he secured a 45.4 percent share of the vote, well ahead of leftist Stavros Malas who trailed with 26.9 percent. George Lillikas, an independent, took 24.9 percent of the vote.
"This result means that Cypriots have not quite decided if Anastasiades is the man to get them out of the crisis. It will be a tough second round," said Fiona Mullen, an economist at the Sapienta consulting firm.
"It makes it a bit tougher for Anastasiades to persuade EU leaders that Cyprus is on the right path, that they will do what it takes to get a bailout."
If successful in the runoff, Anastasiades faces a long list of challenges in convincing European Union and International Monetary Fund lenders to sign off on a rescue before the tiny state faces a 1.4 billion euro debt repayment in June.
He will have to assuage fears that Cyprus will never be able to pay back its debt, and quell concerns in northern Europe that the island is a hub for laundering money from Russia.
Talks on a rescue, which have dragged on for eight months, have also proven tricky because almost any way of solving the crisis - from restructuring debt to slapping losses on banks - could set a precedent for other troubled states and damage sentiment just as confidence slowly returns to the euro zone.
With rising anger at record unemployment of 15 percent and a round of belt-tightening, the eastern Mediterranean nation's worst economic crisis in four decades has eclipsed its almost 40-year-old partition as the main issue in this year's election.
Cyprus sought financial help last year after its banks suffered huge losses from Greece's sovereign debt restructuring. The island, which has been shut out of international financial markets since May 2011, needs about 17 billion euros in aid - a sum worth as much as its entire economy.
Anastasiades has pledged a quick agreement with the European Union and International Monetary Fund on a financial rescue, which investors want agreed before the island's woes derail progress in shoring up the rest of the euro zone's periphery.
Malas has campaigned on a pro-bailout but anti-austerity platform while Lillikas has rejected onerous terms tied to any bailout, saying Cyprus could swiftly extricate itself by using the natural gas reserves that lie under its shores.
Potential kingmaker Lillikas declined to say who he would support in next week's runoff, but Malas signalled he would look to join forces with his fellow anti-austerity crusader.
"We have a lot in common with those who supported George Lillikas; we have a lot in common, historically, and on the specific problems that Cyprus now faces," Malas, 47, told supporters. "Together we can deal with the crisis with development and without harsh policies against society."
European Central Bank board member Joerg Asmussen said he hoped a bailout could be struck with the new Cypriot government by the end of March after the elections, the outcome of which he said the ECB was neutral on. It was not clear whether he knew when he was speaking that there would be a second round.
Reuniting Cyprus after its division nearly 40 years ago into a breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north and the internationally recognized southern state run by Greek Cypriots has lagged far behind as an election issue.
Cypriots, still coming to grips with a cocktail of pay cuts, tax hikes and benefit cuts imposed last year in preparation for a bailout, have been little impressed by the election rhetoric but some felt things could only get better from here.
"We have reached the bottom and we need someone trusted by Europe so that Cyprus can start developing again," said Lucy Iasonos, 52, one of hundreds of Anastasiades supporters who gathered outside his party offices to celebrate.
Additional reporting by Erik Kirschbaum; editing by Philippa Fletcher


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Marineland LED Strip Lights are perfect for replacing standard fluorescent lighting in aquariums. With long lasting, energy efficient LED lights that are 20% brighter than standard fluorescent bulbs, these lighting strips create naturalistic day and nighttime light for a realistic aquatic environment.
Each LED Strip Light features a durable plastic lighting housing and is brighter than one comparable fluorescent tube. With a 5 year lifetime* and up to $25 annual savings** versus fluorescent lighting, you won't find a more efficient and effective light source for your home aquarium anywhere. Suitable for freshwater aquariums.
Two modes of lighting: Daytime (white and blue LEDs) and Lunar (blue LEDs only). Simply toggle the position of the On/Off switch to change the lighting mode.
LED Strip Light Lighting Facts (per fixture):
Size 18: Adjusts 18"-24" - 234 Lumens, 120 Volts, 5 Watts, 7800K Light Appearance
Size 24: Adjusts 24"-36" - 351 Lumens, 120 Volts, 6.8 Watts, 7800K Light Appearance
Size 36: Adjusts 36"-48" - 468 Lumens, 120 Volts, 8.5 Watts, 7800K Light Appearance
Size 48: Adjusts 48"-60" - 702 Lumens, 120 Volts, 12 Watts, 7800K Light Appearance
*Based on usage of 8 hours per day
**These savings include the difference in energy consumption cost of a light running 8 hours a day and bulb replacement. It is recommended that fluorescent bulbs be replaced once a year.


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Re: Tour De France 2012 thread
Is that the best you can come up with? Jesus. Coming from one of the worlds leading stalker/sycophantic cunts I struggle to comprehend how you can critisise a user name that incidentally doesn't remotely bother me.
A 50 year old man who chases, in adoration other grown men ten years their junior around the planet pestering them for their photo using their pictures for your little avatars and creating gay montages in honour of them.
There's probably something very wrong with your extremely distributing curtailing of such people. Got you down as almost definitely a nonce.
Last edited by Dermo (Saturday Jul 2012 17:12:07)


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San Carlos city officials have declared a State of Emergency over safety concerns with a natural gas line that runs through the city.
City leaders on Friday also requested PG&E shut down the pipeline until a hearing could be conducted with CPUC to address the issue. PG&E declined the request, according to city officials.
The city on Friday night obtained a temporary injunction against PG&E in San Mateo County Superior Court requiring PG&E to immediately shut off service to pipeline 147. A hearing is scheduled for Oct. 24.
Concerns over natural gas transmission line 147 were highlighted in a series of internal PG&E e-mails. Issues with the gas line include certain sections made up of a "thin wall" pipe made in 1929 and external corrosion with fatigue cracks on the pipe.
An e-mail also questioned whether "we are sitting on a San Bruno situation."
The condition of the pipeline was discovered after a leak repair.
Line 147 runs the length of the City of San Carlos under Britain Avenue, a residential street that carries thousands of residents daily, officials said.
Mayor Bob Grassilli in a statement said he is frustrated with PG&E's refusal to immediately suspend operation of the gas line in question.
"PG&E's own information on Line 147 is contradictory, and confusing regarding the safety of line 147," Grassilli said in a statement. "We believe PG&E has a responsibility to our community to put safety ahead of operational challenges, and should immediately suspend the use of line 147, until such time they can explain to the California Public Utilities Commission and the public the inconsistencies in their own documentation, records and internal communications regarding line 147."
PG&E released a statement to NBC Bay Area that said Line 147 is safe.
"If the line wasn't safe, we wouldn't keep it in service," PG&E said in a statement.
In addition, PG&E officials said they are voluntarily reducing the line pressure 20 percent below the already reduced pressure.
Read a response letter PG&E sent to the City of San Carlos here.
The City of San Bruno pipeline explosion on Sept. 9, 2010 killed eight people, injured 66, and leveled an entire neighborhood.


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Red Bull Supernatural: All the best photos & videos in one place
As the big event airs this Saturday, March 31 we wanted to get you psyched to see the Red Bull Supernatural at Baldface Lodge in it's entirety.
We've seen so many photos and videos come from all over the place. So we have compiled the best of the best in one place for you to enjoy. So sit back, relax, grab a few beers and get your self dialed in to all the action from the Red Bull Supernatural.
Trust us, no one wants to see the show more than we do.
Travis Rice on the Today Show
Freestyle TV intreview with Travis Rice
Creating the Red Bull Supernatural posters at Asymbol Gallery in Jackson
Red Bull Supernatural Freeride Day with the Pros
Red Bull Supernatural Competition Highlights
Red Bull Supernatural Freeride Day with the Judges
Behind the Scenes at Red Bull Supernatural with Contour
Red Bull Supernatural: Contour Freeride Day with Terje Haakonsen
John Jackson: Red Bull Supernatural Free Ride Day
Don't forget, the Red Bull Supernatural airs Saturday, March 31 at 10am PST.


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Please help with the following: i have now a note N7000, and i want to change it.
I can choose between Galaxy S4 I9505 and Note 3 N9005.
I'm thinking of S4 I9505, because i want a smaller device, having N7000 and buying N9005 is still big
Is S4 I9505 worth in 2014, because is almost a year old phone?
Thank you!