text:
Excerpt: "Alert! California poll workers have been told to give all independent voters 'provisional' ballots if they want to vote in Democratic Party. That's illegal - and will insure that Sanders voters' ballots end up in the garbage, uncounted."
Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. (photo: Reuters)
Placebo Ballots: Stealing California From Bernie Using an Old GOP Vote-Snatching Trick
01 June 16
The Best Democracy Money Can Buy: The Election Crimes Bulletin
lert! California poll workers have been told to give all independent voters "provisional" ballots if they want to vote in Democratic Party. That's illegal – and will insure that Sanders voters' ballots end up in the garbage, uncounted.
A special bulletin for California voters. And for the rest of you, how this same trickery – shifting voters to provisional ballots which are rarely counted – can steal the White House and Congress for the GOP in November.
Here's the 411. If you're registered as an independent voter in California, you have the right to vote in the Democratic Presidential Primary. Just ask for the ballot. But look out! Reports out of Orange County are that some poll workers have been told to give "No Party Preference" (NPP), independent voters, PROVISIONAL ballots as opposed to regular ballots.
Voter, BEWARE! Do NOT accept a PROVISIONAL BALLOT! They're really "Placebo Ballots" – they give you the satisfaction of feeling like you've voted, without the inconvenience of anyone actually having to count them!
And for our readers in the other 49 states: You can bet that the GOP will be shunting voters to these placebo provisional ballots in November. In the last election, over two MILLION voters, overwhelmingly voters of color, were shifted to these rarely-counted ballots. That's how you steal elections.
No, I'm not promoting Bernie, nor Ernie, nor anyone. I'm promoting democracy. Let's make sure your vote counts. Read on (or listen in) while Dennis Bernstein and I take you through that ugly sausage factory calling the American voting system….
Dennis Bernstein: Greg, welcome back. This week we'll focus on what Greg calls placebo ballots, which are incredibly relevant to the upcoming California primary.
Greg Palast: Glad to be here for the bulletin. But I want to call it the alert, because I want people to wake up, get alert, and find out what's happening in California and nationwide so you don't lose your vote.
DB: You've done a lot of research on the provisional ballot.
Palast: If you don't know what a provisional ballot is, you are probably white. I call them placebo ballots. They were created by George Bush and Karl Rove after they swiped Florida in 2000. The Congressional Black Caucus was very upset that people were not able to vote because they were falsely removed from the voter roles for all kinds of cockamamie reasons. So they said, "If your name is not on the voter roles, you should still be able to vote provisionally. They can check your records and count your vote later so you don't lose your vote." They passed the provisional ballots through the Help America Vote Act. You can imagine, Dennis, what happens when George Bush says he's going to help us vote. People won the right to a provisional ballot, but we didn't win the right to have them counted. They rarely are. That's why I call them placebo ballots. They say you can't vote here, but you can fill out a provisional ballot. You think if you filled out a provisional ballot, sign it and stick it in the envelope, it's counted. It isn't. The chances they'll count it are minimal. It's like voting, but it's not voting.
What does that have to do with California? I am currently reporting from Southern California, and there's an Ashley Beck, who is a poll worker in conservative Orange County. She was being trained with other poll workers, and they were given some very strange information. In the California primary, the independent voters registered as NPP, or no party preference, can vote in the Democratic primary. They can ask for a ballot and they are allowed to vote. The Orange County poll workers were told if NPP voters ask for a Democratic Party ballot to vote for Bernie or Hillary, they are not to be given regular ballots, but provisional ballots. This shook up Ashley:
"I was told that all NPP voters are to be given provisional ballots. I was bothered by that, because I was always told that NPP voters in California can vote for Democrats and their vote would be counted. I was a little worried that he was telling all 18 of us poll workers to give all NPP voters provisional ballots. We all know what happens most of the time with provisional ballots. They are not being counted."
They are not being counted. Here's the trick: Overwhelmingly, all polls show that NPP, or independent voters, are Bernie Sanders voters. Regular registered Democrats tend to slightly favor Hillary Clinton in the polls. So if you knock out the NPP voters by giving them placebo ballots – provisional ballots – that's one way to steal the primary in California on June 7.
DB: The poll worker says that everybody knows these ballots don't get counted, so there's some awareness this is another Bernie fake-out.
Palast: The polls show an overwhelming preference of NPP/independent voters for Sanders versus registered Democrats who slightly favor Clinton.
And listen up: If you are in Nevada, Utah or Florida, you are not safe going into the voting booths either, because provisional ballots are everywhere in the USA under federal law. People are being given provisional ballots like candy. In 2008, 2.1 million voters were shunted to provisional ballots. They might as well have written their vote on bubbles. 2.1 million voters.
Who gets these ballots normally? I was on a book tour in Palm Springs and there were about 200 white folk and two people of color in the audience. I said, "Has anyone here ever gotten a provisional ballot?" The only two Black voters in the room both raised their hands, and that was it. Black people know what provisional ballots are, and they probably know that if they fill one out, the chance of it getting counted is slim. If you are given a provisional ballot, don't take it. Demand adjudication – say that independents are entitled to regular ballots in the Democratic primary. This is a nationwide problem.
DB: Give us some history. Tell us about the Laguna and Acoma pueblos in New Mexico, south of Albuquerque. Tell us about what happened to this indigenous community and those who called this into question and defended people's right to vote.
Palast: I went to the Acoma pueblo in New Mexico with my investigations team. The Native Americans who live in the pueblo were voting for city council in droves because they are very concerned that their land is being poisoned by the uranium mines – which are going to expand.… Because they didn't want their lands poisoned, they had a motive to vote. There was also a reason for people to not let them vote. The people that wanted the mine didn't want the natives to vote. What did they do?
They told the pueblo residents, "You are not properly registered." In Native American communities, they say things like "Your address is incorrect because it says 'home next to the Post Office.'" That's often the only address in a pueblo, but it's not a street number, so their registration is challenged.
There were 200 people in the pueblo who had their registrations challenged, and they were given provisional ballots. "Don't worry. If you overcome the challenge, we'll count your vote. Fill out the provisional ballots and put them in the envelope."
The county took the ballots and threw them all away because they said they were in the wrong envelopes. They were the envelopes the government had given them, knowing they were the wrong envelopes they could then throw out. That's how this game is played.
No one is hit with more provisional ballots than Native Americans. They are one of the most Democratic Party-leaning groups there are. If you are wondering if this is a one-party steal system, it was the Democrats who took away votes of their fellow Democrats at the pueblo because they didn't like who they were voting for in the primary. This is typical, as we are seeing in California right now.
DB: In Arizona, you write about a John Brakey, who worked with Audit Arizona. What happened to him?
Palast: He's a great vote theft and election manipulation investigator. He's well known in our field and works with a great team of attorneys. He was a poll watcher in Arizona, and they were taking Hispanic voters, especially young men, and automatically sending them over to provisional ballots – which wouldn't get counted.
They'd say, "What's your name?" "Jose Juarez." "Well your name isn't on the voter roles." Why? When they looked for Juarez, they looked under "W" – I kid you not! When Brakey complained, the state of Arizona called in the state cops, not to stop the theft of the vote but to arrest John Brakey, the poll worker. This is the type of games that are played.
In California, with the attempt to steal votes by giving independent voters provisional ballots, for the first time there are a lot of white people, Bernie voters, who are being treated as if they are Black, Hispanic or Native American voters.
This is the typical treatment for voters of color in America, under our apartheid provisional ballot system we have. Two million ballots in 2008 were provisional and most were thrown in the garbage. We are heading into a primary where poll workers are going to try to shunt the independent voters to the provisional ballots and get their votes thrown away. If you take a provisional ballot and you are an NPP voter, it will 100% be thrown away because you're not allowed to use that ballot even if they give it to you.
Protect your vote. Go to GregPalast.com and download 7 Ways to Beat the Ballot Bandits. One is don't vote provisionally. You can say, "I want a polling judge to determine that I get a real ballot." In California, an independent NPP has a right to vote in the Democratic primary.
DB: Is there somebody like a polling judge around? Do they legally have to produce that person? How does that process work? Many people might want to fight for their vote but they might be intimidated. They might be threatened that they are causing problems. They could be threatened with violations of getting in the way of the vote that's taking place. How do you fight this at the front line?
Palast: You do have a right to ask for an adjudication of your vote. There should be a poll judge who is assigned to each poll.
I would give advice that everyone should have a lawyer, but that's not possible. This is how it's coming down in America. It's unfortunate and sad.
Also, outside California, if you can, do "early voting" in November. If your name is not on the voter rolls, don't wait until Election Day to find out. It's better to vote early so you can find out if there's a problem. In California, you don't have that choice in the primary. You've got to go in and stand up for your rights. The ACLU and Rock the Vote and others will have numbers for the general election. We'll find out what's available for voter protection in the June 7 California primary. I was hoping California would be a little bit cleaner, but it looks filthy already.
DB: How many votes could be at stake in California?
Palast: There are well over a half million NPP independent voters in California who all have the right to vote in the Democratic primary. Over half a million is real numbers in my neighborhood. The Republican Party is closed to the NPP voter.
DB: The difference in New York is that the independents were not allowed to vote in the Democratic primary. Hillary says she has more voters, but it's because independents can't vote. But in California, independents have the right vote in the Democratic primary, and nobody should tell them differently.
Palast: 100%. If you are in the American Independent Party you need to vote for them. But if you are truly an independent voter, registered as an NPP, you absolutely have the right to a real Democratic Party ballot to vote in the Democratic primary for the president of the United States. That's California law. There is no reason for a provisional anything. In California, please check and make sure you are registered. If not, you will get a provisional ballot that will go to the shredder.
Greg Palast has been called the "most important investigative reporter of our time - up there with Woodward and Bernstein" (The Guardian). Palast has broken front-page stories for BBC Television Newsnight, The Guardian, The Nation Magazine, Rolling Stone, and Harper's Magazine. He is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Billionaires & Ballot Bandits, Armed Madhouse, The Best Democracy Money Can Buy, and the highly acclaimed Vultures' Picnic, named Book of the Year 2012 on BBC Newsnight Review. His books have been translated into two dozen languages. His brand new film of his documentary reports for BBC Newsnight and Democracy Now! is called Vultures and Vote Rustlers.
Dennis J Bernstein is the executive producer of Flashpoints, syndicated on Pacifica Radio, and is the recipient of a 2015 Pillar Award for his work as a journalist whistleblower. He is most recently the author of Special Ed: Voices from a Hidden Classroom.
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Me: Not one bit!
This might help the slow learners who continue to support Clinton recognize that the so-called Democratic party HAS MORPHED INTO THE REPUBLICANS!! You know....those people you so thoroughly despise......!
Enough with Bernie Sanders. Face reality. Quit falsely claiming the vote is stolen. That is the last refuge of scoundrels.
There you go again; couldn't wait could you?
Enough with YOU; -now piss off!
According to the Associated Press, the gold standard for counting delegates, there are 4,051 pledged delegates. So a majority would be 2,026.
Clinton has won 1,769 delegates. So she is 257 short of a majority in pledged delegates.
Sanders has won 1,501 delegates. So he needs 525 delegates to win a majority.
Counting votes in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands over the weekend, there are 761 delegates that will be selected through June 7.
So Clinton needs 34 percent of those delegates, a number she will certainly win, given the Democrats' system of proportional allocations. Sanders needs 69 percent, an almost impossibly high bar.
So, even without the superdelegates, Clinton would have won the Democratic nomination fair and square.
Sanders claims it would be "factually incorrect" for the media to declare Clinton the presumptive nominee once she crosses the 2,383 threshold. But he is ignoring the fact that Clinton will also win a majority of the pledged delegates. There's not much of a case he can make to superdelegates to switch sides, especially since he has long insisted that superdelegates should follow the will of the voters.
Indeed, senior Sanders adviser Tad Devine in early May told our colleague Greg Sargent that unless Sanders "significantly" closes the pledged delegate gap with Clinton, it will be borderline "impossible" to persuade superdelegates to switch from Clinton to Sanders.
Since Sanders beats ALL Republicans in head-to-head polling, and HRC actually loses in some polls, and is less likely to win in basically all polls, if the DNC want's to win in November, those un-pledged delegate should vote for Bernie.
Yeah, sure it is, IF the nominee is a right-winger posing as a Democrat.
Personally, I think the corporate lobbyists who's votes each carry as much weight as about 100,000 of us, would rather LOSE to a right-wing pro-corporate lunatic from the Republican Party, than WIN with a Democrat insufficiently loyal to their profit margins.
Actually the stealing of elections is clearly the last refuge of scoundrels and is the only way that a toxic, unpopular candidate with a solid track record of 100% failure (like HRC) can ever "win" an election.
It is time for a return to hand counted paper ballots and it is also time for a new political party:
They are just Bad (D) and Worse (R).
In this type of climate why should we expect a choice other than "the lesser of two evils"?
The theft of your vote is the theft of your freedom.
What we need is a political revolution!
I wonder, is anyone out there that could start one?
Sanders Incorrect Delegate Math:
Y'know, you're the most obnoxious, toxic poster -I won't grace it with the respectful term"contributo r"- on RSN since "Roland" -or did you just change y'r moniker?
Greg Palast is one of the few remaining deep truth digging, courageous investigative journalists left in the USA -actually he works for the BBC and independently.
You, your ilk and whatever sources you grub information from aren't fit to wipe his arse!
In complaining about superdelegates, Sanders is trying to have his cake and eat it, too. If not for the "absurd" superdelegate system, Sanders's presidential hopes would firmly die on June 7.
Thus Sanders is misleading his supporters when he suggests it is "factually incorrect" for the media to crown Clinton the presumptive nominee on June 7. In a narrow technical sense, the nominee is not chosen until the convention. But, barring some miracle, on June 7, Sanders will have lost the race for both pledged delegates and superdelegates. That leaves him with no hope to claim the nomination–unle ss he wants to overturn the will of the voters. But respecting the will of the voters was the original reason he complained about the superdelegate system in the first place.
Three Pinocchios
The miracle that all who want peace and a better future are hoping for is a prompt indictment by the Justice Department for Clinton's unlawful handling of State Department correspondence and her lies about the subject.
This toxic warmonger belongs in prison NOT in the Oval Office.
It is not too late!
"If you look at the history of what they pursued, you really had to have a slam-bam case that met all the elements," one former senior FBI official said for the report in Politico. Of 30 cases in which investigators recommended a misdemeanor charge for mishandling classified information between 2011 and 2015, prosecutors pursued charges in just six.
Those dynamics suggest that in order to recommend an indictment for Clinton over the more than 2,100 classified (after the fact) messages she stored on a private server as secretary of state, the FBI will likely need to discover relatively sensational violations of the law.
The Pinocchio Test
In complaining about superdelegates, Sanders is trying to have his cake and eat it, too. If not for the "absurd" superdelegate system, Sanders's presidential hopes would firmly die on June 7.
Thus Sanders is misleading his supporters when he suggests it is "factually incorrect" for the media to crown Clinton the presumptive nominee on June 7. In a narrow technical sense, the nominee is not chosen until the convention. But, barring some miracle, on June 7, Sanders will have lost the race for both pledged delegates and superdelegates. That leaves him with no hope to claim the nomination–unless he wants to overturn the will of the voters. But respecting the will of the voters was the original reason he complained about the superdelegate system in the first place.
Three Pinocchios
OK Mr Timbernose getting longer by the day. Stick THIS up yer arse and fart it; Clinton MK11 is in deep doo-doo as of this week ahead of California; http://lists.readersupportednews.org/ss/link.php?M=381841&N=20689&C=1ed476ae921da870af55683849554919&L=27018
LMAO, a Clinton hater quoting a conservative analyst using triple hearsay. Now THAT is really convincing. :-)
If you're responding to me, I'm not a "Clinton Hater".
Why do you crackpots HAVE to throw the word "hate" and it's derivations about so freely.
Says a lot about y'r mentality.
An election worker is saying they are throwing them OUT. It looks like you don't know what the article is talking about."I was told that all NPP voters are to be given provisional ballots. I was bothered by that, because I was always told that NPP voters in California can vote for Democrats and their vote would be counted. I was a little worried that he was telling all 18 of us poll workers to give all NPP voters provisional ballots. We all know what happens most of the time with provisional ballots. They are not being counted."
Greg's point is to make sure that voters registered as No Party Preference insist on getting a "crossover" or Democratic Party ballot.
As I warned last week, poll workers are being trained to give you a provisional ballot. In New York, 90% of provisional ballots were tossed out.
But it says clearly that the Democratic party allows an NPP to request a Democratic ballot in the primary and the November elections. DO IT BERNERS!
It was one of those manipulative Propositions we voted for a few years ago.
On the other hand, ANYONE can vote in the Senate Primary, and two Democrats are in the lead, so the General Election ballot could well have ONLY two Democrats.
That may just be the term they're using for a ballot different than your party affiliation.
From Middle-East neo-con wars and Semitic apartheid to economic and financial empire maintenance, from environmental, justice, and petrochemical exploitation to mouthings of "support" and "stances", the Clinton MACHINE continuously spews inconsequential , complicated, redefinable propaganda. The 'accomplishment s' inevitably result in 'unintended' consequences - dismissed in pre-criticisms - as fantasies.
Hillary is running against the 'straw man' of the 'evil, misogynist, implied racist. narcissist-Dona ld Trump'. It seems the only THING she is FOR, his defeat.
Not climate change, not effective education, not fair, democratic, fully participatory elections and campaigning, not serious infrastructure investment, not universal healthcare or a secure living wage, not universal peace ... instead, she decries the need for someone -"HERSELF"- to be the WOMAN-IN-CHARGE , President of 'knowing-how-to -get-"things"-d one' ... none of which have been accomplished through the alleged "VAST" experience of being the brains behind the 'testicles' of those she has 'advised'.
Give me a break! Her well-financed PR campaign of (corporate) proclaimed exceptionalism "purrs" with agreement only of 'all things' focus-tested.
But the truth is that Sanders does not deserve a movement, and his losing campaign does not deserve unusual deference and concessions. His tale about American oligarchy is simplistic, his policy proposals are shallow, his rejection of political reality is absurd, his self-righteousn ess and stubbornness are unbecoming. And, yes, he has lost. Here are some simple points worth repeating:
• It is politically reasonable for the superdelegates to stick with Clinton. The poll numbers Sanders cites to argue that he would be a stronger nominee do not reflect the impressions voters would have after the Republicans engaged in a sustained anti-Sanders assault — the sort of thing Clinton has endured for decades. Polling shows that Sanders does not, in fact, do unusually well among true independents and that many of these crucial swing voters have not formed an opinion of him.
HRC has been on both sides of every major policy issue throughout her life. Sometimes switching back and forth and back again.
Lee Camp observes that Hillary Clinton's consistently firm stand on both sides of most every issue requires us to coin a new term to define her stance on any given issue:
As in, she was forgainst it before she was Forposed to it.
I can't think of a single policy issue she has has consistently stated and carried out. That is, she's pretty consistent in things she doesn't want to admit, especially on the campaign trail. But she never has publicly said, "I like war," or "Vote for me and I'll give your life savings to Wall Street."
Quoting Blackjack:
HRC is proving daily that she will do anything to win.
Hillary is a politician. She will do or say anything to get the people to do something for her. Bernie Sanders is a statesman. There is a difference. Bernie will do everything he can to do something for the people.
He is a socialist so maybe he is expecting that at the convention they will "redistribute" the delegates from the winner to the loser. :-)
Go back to school. dear and learn what Democratic Socialism is (Hint: it ain't 'Communism' as believed by mindless 1950s McCarthyites.)
If you do not like Democratic Socialism then be prepared to give up everything from Public Libraries, bridges and roads, firefighters, Medicare, Social Security, the Post Office [still better than UPS], the military, Veterans Administration, the ACA (however corrupted by the insurance middlemen) , publlc education, etc. etc.
Stop pulling these ugly lowdown Teapugnican tactics of trying to label Bernie to alarm the unwashed, and uneducated....
This is the Hillary tactic par excellence – obfuscate in order to win, 'by hook or by crook.'
Then take a trip to the Eurozone and see for yourself how their standard of living has surpassed ours in the US!
BTW: That is a conflict of interest that the American Bar Association specifies as unethical.
So THANKS! Greg and Dennis - Let's get the vote out, make it count!
In every other State, they are set aside to be "verified," which in almost all cases means they're tossed out.
Provisional Ballots in CA are likely to be tossed out, too.
If Hillary really wants to save her country she must bow out of the race. It is the only fair, honest way to go.
Berners can accept reality or sink deeper into delusion. Only one of these options would be good for them and good for the country.
Even if every other comment on these threads is written by you (along with shades, and lights), the 3 of you are doing a wonderful job of encouraging literally hundreds of us to get out and convince our friends to fight your agenda.
that the Democratic Party establishment has been stealing Bernie's votes and the primary and giving it to Hillary Clinton. Again thank you for your factual and sane posts, they are a breath of fresh air on this website / blog.
Open Primaries (which many of us Californians thought we'd voted for in 2010) are more likely to produce candidates who will appeal to the General Election electorate.
Scary, eh?
Brace yourselves. If Hillary wins, Sanders supporters will (again) scream "Fraud!" If Sanders wins but Clinton wins enough delegates to put her over the top, Sandersites will ramp up their scheming to flip superdelegates- -the superdelegates whose very existence they regard as fraudulent AS LONG AS THEY SUPPORT CLINTON but would accept if they went for Bernie instead.
Personally, I'm amazed (and suspicious) that we now hear reports that Sanders is ahead among Hispanics, considering that he's done poorly among them everywhere else up to now. I'd like to know the reason for the shift (assuming it's real).
News", hate radio, Republicans and the right wing echo chamber for 30 years. Bernie has been ignored. Hillary has been "investigated" by 9 GOP House committees and 11 hours of cross-examinati on by GOP prosecutors and answered every question they could think of all for the express purpose of "bringing down her poll numbers" according to the GOP majority head. Bernie has been ignored.
Aaaaaand here we go again.
Brace yourselves. If Hillary wins, Sanders supporters will (again) scream "Fraud!"
No matter WHAT she does, you support her. HRC herself is a FRAUD. It seems that NO amount of evidence presented will move you from your position. This is what makes you a flack and a shill for HRC, and your comments here then *get no traction.*
Another reality check:
Hillary Clinton lying for 13 minutes straight.
Given the penchant for enthusiastic supporters to lie for political advantage (candidates themselves are seldom involved in such schemes), there I nothing in this article to convince me that this rumor was not started by Bernie fans to make Clinton look bad.
I support neither Clinton nor Sanders but I do document electoral fraud and this story is too vague to be considered fraud. More information is definitely required.
Lee Nason
New Bedford, Massachusetts
Palast is correct on the facts in this article but he presents no evidence that poll workers have actually been told to provide provisional ballots. Can we please see some written evidence or at least have the names of the poll workers and people who issued such orders?
Given the penchant for enthusiastic supporters to lie for political advantage (candidates themselves are seldom involved in such schemes), there I nothing in this article to convince me that this rumor was not started by Bernie fans to make Clinton look bad.
I support neither Clinton nor Sanders but I do document electoral fraud and this story is too vague to be considered fraud. More information is definitely required.
Lee Nason
New Bedford, Massachusetts
I was counseled by workers in the office of the Secretary of State in CAlifornia to ask for a provisional ballot if i was NPP. That's pretty definite.
Chris Matthews actually said that NBC knew that (fraudulently) announcing a winner before polls close in CA will suppress the vote. But he asked Sanders' campaign manager, Jeff Weaver if he thought it would suppress Hillary or Bernie voters most!
Then when Weaver tried to once again explain that it's impossible for either candidate to have 2382 pledged delegates, Matthews cuts him off saying "I don't want to get into that discussion."
What a tool.
Right this minute, MSDNC is denouncing Sanders, preparing to declare HRC the winner TODAY. They have Congressman Ford lying that Sanders never even caucused with the Democrats, and others ranting about how egotistical and selfish he is for stating the simple fact that NO ONE HAS WON yet.
Un-pledged delegates do not vote until July 25.
If they received a Voter information guide, then they are registered to vote. You can check this online. If you have a problem call your local registrar of Voters, they can handle these situations.
I've been a registered Democrat in CA since the 1980s, and have voted in all except one election (an odd one added at an unusual time). I'd even already gotten my notice that my Absentee Ballot was coming, so I must have been delisted after that. [edit. that notice may not have said it was a "Democratic" ballot that was coming. They may have planned to send me one without the Democratic Presidential candidates on it.]
I think HRC is getting lists of Bernie supporters from the DNC mailing lists, which had firewall breeches several times.
It could also be that Google or Facebook are providing info from social media and web searches. Google worked with HRC to provide info on Syrians who were loyal to Assad so the "moderate rebels" could target them.
Vote tampering and voter suppression is as American as dog shit. All party elites want the smallest turnout of voters they can get. They want their stalwarts to turn out to vote and everyone else will be banned. That is how they define "democracy."
First, here are the Voting Categories in the California Primary on June 7th:
Democrat/Non Partisan
Non Partisan
American Independent
Peace and Freedom
If you are registered as Non Partisan you will be given a choice of ballots:
Non Partisan (No presidential Candidates)
Non Partisan Democratic - (Presidential Candidates for Democratic party only)
Non Partisan American Independent (Presidential candidate for the American Independent party only)
Non Partisan Libertarian (Presidential candidate for the Libertarian party only)
None of these are "Placebo" ballots Whichever you select WILL be counted. IF you get the wrong ballot you are more than welcome to return to the welcome table and surrender it for another.
Poll workers will be dealing with 8 different ballots in up to 5 different languages. Please be patient with them. No poll worker will intentionally give you a ballot you don't want, nor will they force you to use a Provisional ballot if you are registered in that precinct, and in the party you are requesting a ballot for.
I've been a Precinct Inspector for five years and have never seen any of the scenarios that articles such as this are attempting to present.
Provisional ballots are for those whose registration information is not available at the poll the person is voting at. All are reviewed and ALL legal ballots are counted.
From the CA Secretary of State Office:
"Voting in the June 7, 2016, Presidential Primary Election
"An NPP voter will receive a non-partisan ballot, which will have no presidential candidates listed."
"However, upon request, an NPP voter can instead vote the presidential ballot of the following parties:
American Independent Party
Democratic Party
Libertarian Party"
But the issue here is that some poll workers are being trained to automatically give NPPs a "Provisional Ballot."
From the CA SOS on Provisional Ballots:
"What Happens After You Cast a Provisional Ballot?"
"Your provisional ballot will be counted after elections officials have confirmed that you are registered to vote in that county and you did not already vote in that election."
In earlier states, most provisional ballots were NOT COUNTED.
So the point remains: DO NOT accept a Provisional Ballot.
why the most honest, transparent, Washington "outsider" has yet to release
more than one year of his taxes ...Ask yourselves What Is He Hiding ??? He has been less than honest about delegate math, and hypocritical when it comes to super delegates...ok if it helps him. Get Real Here...Bernie is a long time Politician and now could be a spoiler...
The results of the 2016 election Matters.
... Bernie Sanders is (creating) a political revolution and it won't go away in Nov, whatever happens between now and then ... transform(ing our) banana republic US into a functioning democracy.
- go bernie! and go dem! - it disserves our potential democracy to give up on our dem party! that we need to transform to our more progressive ends! - meanwhile, in november, the alternative to a dem! - whether bernie or hill! is rump!
lie! - # Radscal 2016-05-19 19:12
"The only wasted vote is the one cast for a candidate you don't want."
- trudat! - the only wasted vote is the one not cast for the candidate, the dem, with the only chance to beat the candidate who promises - and is capable, as prez, of delivering on his reactionary promises, to -
1) torture prisoners;
2) kill spouses and children of enemies whom our law says he names;
3) curb the press;
4) on his first day in office, tear-up the iran treaty (that prevents iran from building nukes!);
5) deport 11 million illegals;
6) build a wall clear across mexico;
7) make mexico pay for it (which takes invading and occupying mexico!)
8) nominate to scotus, a "justice", or 3, just like scalia!
9) abolish the inheritance tax - our nation's ONLY TAX ON WEALTH! THAT REDISTRIBUTES WEALTH! - AS IN SOCIALISM! - PART OF OUR LAW SINCE THE 1890'S - THE AGE OF THE ROBBER BARONS!
10) cut income taxes, for the rich only, almost in half!
11) register and ground muslims from air travel! and
12) abolish our consumer financial protection bureau!
pants on fire! half-truth! -
# Radscal 2016-05-19 19:12
"If the DNC denies Sanders their nomination, it will be THEM who help elect Drumpf."
first - it is not certain that bernie will beat rump! that's why we vote! to find out who wins! - however great polls look now! alot more! good and bad! will happen by november! - what this means is that there is also no guarantee that if the DNC denies *hill* their nomination, it will *not* be THEM who helped elect Drumpf!
next, the part that may be true, but, if it is, certainly only part true! - "If the DNC denies Sanders their nomination, it will be THEM who *HELP* elect Drumpf." - IN ADDITION TO the DNC, THOSE WHO FAIL TO VOTE DEM WILL ALSO HELP TO ELECT RUMP!
rad, you are a liar! you and guy are rump trojans! you need to stop peddling your rump garbage here! begone trolls! - go dem!
- to be clear! - nothing would make me happier than bernie winning the dem popular vote! and being dem nominated for prez! - in order to vote for bernie in my state! - i registered as dem! - bernie won! my state! - go bernie! - MASSIVELY win june 7th!
never forget tho! - bernie's political revolution is about us! - public funding, only! of federal, state and local elections!
- to be clear! - 1) go public funding! 2) go progressive! 3) go dem! 4) go bernie!
overthrow plutocracy! - starting right here! with bernie! - right now!
The green party could actually win with Bernie!
- sanders, rump and hill would all pick-off various states - assuring that none of them won a majority of the electoral college - throwing the election into our house of repugs - whereby rump's win would be assured!
read the 12th amendment! you do the math! - a 3-way race assures rump victory! - sorry!
guy, you can't be stupid enough to accidentally promote a rump presidency! - that means you are a liar! you are a rump trojan! - you need to stop peddling your rump garbage here! begone troll! - go dem!
But they should be very rarely needed, and traditionally have been.
Suddenly now, they are being issued in huge numbers. In King County, NY, 1/3 of all voters were given Provisional Ballots, and 75% of them were tossed out!
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Handbook home
Introduction to Language Translation (ARTS30002)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Please refer to the specific study period for contact information.
|Year of offer
|Subject level
|Undergraduate Level 3
|Subject code
Semester 1
|Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Translation is not a simple language replacement exercise; it is one of the main ways in which cultures shape political thought, literature, and science. This subject will offer answers to basic questions about how this happens. What are the main solutions available to translators? What goes on in the translating brain? How can technologies help translators? How does translation change in accordance with different languages and text genres? Students will also gain hands-on experience with the practical skills of post-editing, translation memories and subtitling.
Intended learning outcomes
Students that successfully complete this subject will demonstrate:
- Critical awareness of the ways translators transform texts.
- Engagement with the main arguments concerning the ideals of translation.
- Critical reflection on the student's own translation practice.
- Basic skills in post-editing, translation memories and subtitling.

subset: commoncrawl


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Relive the glorious sounds of the great duo
Mark Shelley and John Robertson pay tribute to the genius of Simon and Garfunkel at The Hub in Springwood on Saturday, March 9 at 8pm.
Simon and Garfunkel - The Concert showcases over 20 hit songs that include Mrs Robinson, The Boxer, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Feelin Groovy, Me & Julio, Homeward Bound, Scarborough Fair, America and Sounds of Silence.
Simon and Garfunkel reflected and defined the mood of the 60s with their close vocal harmonies and stirring songs penned by Paul Simon. Their songs, harmony and message defined the term 'folk rock' and reflected the mood and social revolution of the era.
With record sales in excess of 70 million and 10 Grammy awards, they are arguably one of the greatest vocal duos of all time.
Simon and Garfunkel's music remains timeless, etched in the memories of those they touched at the time and the generations since who have discovered their songs. Their at times rocky personal relationship was seemingly at odds with their inspired musical partnership.
Shelley and Robertson bring to the concert over two decades as one of Australia's top duos. Their credits include sold out festival and theatres (Willie and Roy – The Legends), performing with the Australian Opera Company, cruises, jingles, TV and countless venues.
With a genuine love of these songs and with a stunning backing band, their harmonies, musicianship and natural humour re-create the magic, the sound and the stories of those memorable times
Simon and Garfunkel - The Concert is inspired by Simon and Garfunkel's remarkable reunion concert in Central Park New York which was enjoyed by a live audience of over 500,000.
It's a fun, nostalgic and story-filled performance that will touch you and transport you back to where you were, what you felt and who you were with when you first heard their music.
Tickets: Adult $59, Concession/Student/Group (6+) $55, Child (16 and under) $50, Family (2A + 2C) $210
A one off Booking fee of $3.30 (for service and handling) applies per transaction; this is regardless of the number or value of items purchased.
Tickets ($59/$55/$50) can be purchased at the box office, on 4723 5050 or online at www.bluemountainstheatre.com.


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The Story of Noodles
By Yongsheng Xuan , Ying Chang Compestine
PreK-K, 1-2
While Mama and Poppa Kang are looking for the family's lost pig, Pan, Ting, and Kùai are left in charge of making dumplings for the village's annual cooking contest. After a near disastrous attempt to save time, the boys invent a new food dish.
Other Books You Might Like


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Is liposomal bupivacaine useful in pain after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction?
Primary tabs
The multimodal pain control regimens comprise of local anesthetics commonly administered into surgical sites. Liposomal bupivacaine is a novel formulation of bupivacaine intended for slow diffusion of a single dose of local anesthetic over a 72-hour period. No studies have compared pain management regimens comprising liposomal bupivacaine to traditional regimens in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. A trial was performed to analyze liposomal bupivacaine in comparison with 0.25% bupivacaine hydrochloride (HCl) for pain control after ACL reconstruction.
Total 32 adult patients undergoing primary ACL reconstruction with some soft tissue quadriceps tendon autograft between July 2014 and March 2015 were registered. Before surgery, these patients received a femoral nerve block. During surgery, patients either received a 40-mL suspension of 20 mL Exparel and 20 mL 0.9% injectable saline or 20 mL 0.5% bupivacaine HCl and 20 mL 0.9% injectable saline, which was administered into the graft harvest site and portal areas. After ACL reconstruction, patients were given either a postoperative smartphone application or paper-based journal to record data for 1 week.
Out of 32 patients, 29 patients were analyzed (90.6%). Due to postoperative hematoma, 1 patient was excluded and two were lost to follow-up. Between two study groups, no statistically significant differences in postoperative pain, medication use, pain location, recovery room time, or mobility. was observed. Comparable outcomes were obtained with 0.25% bupivacaine HCl at a 200-fold lower cost than liposomal bupivacaine. Although, this study does not brace the widespread use of liposomal bupivacaine for pain control after ACL reconstruction in the setting of a femoral nerve block.


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It is that time again...
the time to greet the New Year...
from a new perspective…
Upside Down!
This will be our 8th year of celebrating New Year's Eve with an Inversion Yoga Practice. Inversions are "any asana that places the head below the heart". They revitalize, rejuvenate and refresh your entire system, even if your feet remain firmly connected to the floor. In addition, inverted positions increase your capacity for growth and transformation by allowing you to see the world from a different perspective.
This workshop will include: bringing awareness to the power of breath, maintaining the integrity of your neck, strengthening of the abdominal muscles, energizing and awakening the legs, honoring concerns and fears when upside down.
Afterwards, treat yourself to light, healthy refreshments at the studio.
What better way to start anew?
Wednesday - December 31, 2014 7:00 - 9:00p


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What does balance mean to you?
More often than not, when people think about balance they automatically think about their diet – cake in one hand and a salad in the other. Don't worry, up until a few years ago on my mission to heal my relationship with food I did too and is essentially where my blog started. However, a happy balanced lifestyle goes deeper than that.
Balance is that beautiful place where everything just connects, you feel like you're sailing along and everything is good. You basically feel like you can rule the world, no matter what the ebbs and flows of life may throw your way. When everything is aligned in your life you feel fabulous as a result and can give your best to your work, loved ones and your life.
When we're in a funk or things get on top of us, it's at these poignant times when our inner critic turns up the volume, our self care is non-existent and perhaps feel that we don't matter, when in fact you do. You really do matter, you are deserving of all the love in the world and the care that you give to others.
We have Yin and Yang, black and white, up and down – balance is essential to everyday living. We all need balance and sometimes things get a little overwhelming, stressful, we hate ourselves, don't feel that we are deserving of anything good, and we lose our balance altogether. That's OK. It's perfectly fine to be flawed and live a messy life, it's normal. However, what's important is the mindset with which we use to deal with these challenges.
If balance sounds like an enigma to you, The Essential Balance Guide will put you on the right path to help you get there. Get your FREE copy !
There are many facets that will put you on the right path to allow you to find your own version of balance, such as self care, knowing your worth, trusting your body and much more. We dive in deep into all these topics in The Essential Balance Guide which you can download for FREE today!
What Does The Essential Balance Guide Cover?
Well, where do I start? We cover a lot of ground in this in this guide, but in summary:
- Powerful mindset shifts to help you live a happy balanced life
- Embracing a perfectly messy life
- Making self care an everyday practice
- Health at every size
- How to love yourself fiercely
- Discussions about breaking out of the diet mentality
- Being a rebel rule breaker
BONUS: Beautiful motivational quotes that you can print out for everyday inspiration.
And that's just the beginning! You can get you FREE copy of The Essential Balance Guide .
This isn't a cure, but it's the beginning; that magical first step. I know, first steps are scary but remember it's the first step in the right direction. Finding your balance and your happy place can take weeks, months or even years – it doesn't matter how long it takes as long as you eventually get there.
As you will discover from the guide, balance means something different to everyone, but at its very heart is self love and self care. Once you have established these two facets in your life that's when the real magic happens!
Find your version of balance.
Remember to download your FREE copy .


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An ASL DictionarySigning Savvy is a sign language dictionary containing several thousand high resolution videos of American Sign Language (ASL) signs, fingerspelled words, and other common signs used within the United States and Canada.
And Much More!Signing Savvy is an ideal resource to use while you learn sign language. It includes the ability to view large sign videos, build your own word lists and share them with others, create virtual flash cards and quizzes, print signs, build sign phrases, ...and more
Sign of the Day - THRIFTY
Interpreter Q & A: What are our boundaries as interpreters to say something to a Deaf client about their right to request a qualified interpreter?
Interpreter Tips | Wednesday, February 20, 2019
This article is part of our "Dear BC, Interpreter Q & A" series, which answers questions on interpreting and Deaf culture from multiple perspectives.
This article is part of our "Dear BC, Interpreter Q & A" series, which answers questions on interpreting and Deaf culture from multiple perspectives.
This article was also published in the Fall 2018 (Issue 35 Volume 4) Edition of VIEWS Magazine from RID. VIEWS is a digital publication distributed quarterly by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) and dedicated to the interpreting profession. The magazine includes RID member spotlights, announcements from the RID board, and engaging stories about issues impacting the interpreting community. See this article (on page 28) and more in the Fall 2018 Edition of VIEWS Magazine from RID.
During a doctor's appointment I interpreted, the doctor referred the Deaf patient to physical therapy. When we were leaving the office, the Deaf client asked me about my availability to interpret her upcoming physical therapy appointments. I told the Deaf woman my schedule and she said, "Oh well, that's fine, if you can't come, my daughter will come and interpret." Her daughter is a young girl who can sign, but she is not an interpreter. The daughter has no training or certification.
What are our boundaries as interpreters to say something to a Deaf client about their right to request a qualified interpreter? I don't want to look like I'm just trying to make money. My concern is also that her doctors will begin to think that they don't need to hire interpreters for her because she can just bring her daughter for free.
Concerned Interpreter
The video features a full interpretation of what is discussed in this article.
An Experienced Interpreter's Perspective:
If the patient prefers a relative, that is their choice. At the same time, doctors need to be educated about the hazards of using family members to interpret. Liability issues should compel them to want to avoid lawsuits.
An Experienced Deaf Consumer's Perspective:
The NAD has a position paper on this topic. It explains the cons of using family members to interpret. This is an on-going dilemma, especially in rural and remote areas where there are few interpreters. It is unfair to put the burden to interpret on family members, regardless if they are qualified/certified.
What's your perspective? Share your thoughts in the comments below.


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Vancouver Vanishes has recently featured these two "deconstructions", but I am taking the liberty of duplicating them here because they are literally gone to bits, and more photos of them may be acceptable to you readers because it is impossible to take photos of these houses ever again. Here is the house at 3742 West 36th Avenue in the fall of 2013:
This unique east-coast looking house was built in 1929 on a wide 50 foot lot and torn down in December 2014 or January 2015 in order to build something undoubtedly more modern.
Look at the lovely garden of this house at 3883 West 21st Avenue in May 2013 at the time the house was for sale:
A year later in June 2014, the garden was still thriving, but it became a bit too wild, and there were no geraniums in the window box. I suspect that the house was vacant. This fairly typical house of its time was built in 1928 and torn down in January 2015.
The various decades of houses in Vancouver have their typical styles, and we are losing the number of representative examples. Along with the more typical (and admittedly sometimes boring) designs, there are some anomalies, some very special examples. I've got my eye on two such special ones, both of which look doomed. Unfortunately, more to come...


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The Skyline Rotorua attraction enjoys the best views of Lake Rotorua with a commanding position on Mount Ngongotaha, 487 metres above sea level.
ScanView were invited by Skyline Rotorua to capture not just the incredible views of the lake and surrounding Rotorua region, but all the attractions on offer including the luge, skyswing, wine tasting, stargazing and more.
Although many photos have been taken, it's only with a 360 Virtual Tour that you can really appreciate the setting and what's on offer. The ultimate view of Rotorua has now been captured - it's the next best thing to be there!
View the Skyline Rotorua 360 Virtual Tour


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British Dictionary definition for philanthropy:
philanthropy /fɪˈlænθrəpɪ/
noun (pl) -pies
1. the practice of performing charitable or benevolent actions
One major thing we'd like to pass on to our children, besides an impressive family tree replete with stories and insight, is the desire to give. Here are a few things you can do when you feel a spirit of giving, but the finances just aren't there to give as much as you'd like.
Give Time
- When mowing your lawn, go ahead and do that row right down the middle that isn't clearly on your side or the neighbors. Better yet, do one or two more after that.
- Take a meal to a neighbor when you've heard of a challenge they have, such as a new baby, surgery or hospitalization, car accident, or job loss. It doesn't have to be a gourmet meal; taking a hot pizza can lift spirits in times of trouble just by showing you care. Even though it is the thought that counts, be sure to double check for any allergies or aversions to ensure you're really doing a kindness.
- Help a friend clean house. A tidy environment often leads to calmer and clearer thinking. You can read small decluttering prompts here. You could be creating a better day for the entire household! (Don't think about your own house for just a couple of hours!)
- Do you have a neighbor that isn't very mobile? Visit with them. Just pour a glass of water for each of you, then sit and listen to their stories with sincere interest.
- Do you know someone in the diaper-buying season of life? Scan the newspaper for those high dollar coupons; you may be able to give $5 or $10 to someone who will look at you with loving gratitude for the next month, and the cost to you? Two whole minutes.
Give Little Blessings
- Blessing bags
-in the summer: granola bars, socks, bottled water, mint (just don't grab too many at a time when leaving <insert favorite restaurant here> after dinner), toothbrush and toothpaste
-in the winter: add gloves and switch out the mint for a small, festive candy cane
- Round up a bag or three of unused items, then donate rather than filling your trash bin. This could lead to more work for a disabled veteran if you have a DAV thrift store in your area, or choose another similar store. It can lead to a tax break if you itemize, and you know you're simply saving the world, one pair of tennis shoes or baby toy at a time.
- Leave a coin in the change return at the self-checkout. Five cents is completely worth the smile you'll put on a stranger's face.
Volunteer opportunities abound on www.volunteermatch.org and they're organized in a very user-friendly way. Searching for the right match is a breeze as positions are listed in categories with pictures!
Share these experiences with your family, or start a community group with friends and neighbors. Working with others to fill a need can give such a feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment!
P.S. The flower/chocolate combo pictured was a clever and welcome surprise from my daughter!


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When the grief that rips through my heart takes my breath away. My mind starts to race. Fear jumps up. Terror anchors to my skin.
There is not enough time. I need to change. I need to learn from my Mum. I need to heal my cancer yesterday. I need to be stronger. I need to be bolder. I need to be better. I need to be more motivated. More powerful… more, more and more.
In those moments I make big plans. I will never have coffee again. I will never watch TV… I will go out into the world. I'll be more present with my children. I'll be 100% vegan starting now. I'll be raw vegan. I will exercise today. I will visualise. I will be kinder. I will drink all my water. I'll get to bed early.
In those moments when grief takes hold… I promise myself that I will magically become a different woman instantly.
Those moments… sadly do not lead to success or instant transformation. They annoyingly just leave me with more guilt and shame about my inadequacy and failure at implementing what I know is required and essential for a happy and healthy future. Essential for any future at all.
I have heard people talk about the power of decisions. It sounds wonderful. Brilliant. And I deeply wish I was powerful enough for my decisions to hold. A weakness in my mind, a lack of motivation… whatever the reason it is what is.
I had one of those moments yesterday. I let myself run with it. And got a few fleeting hours, everything was wonderful and full of hope.
Then the failure hit.
And I must once again focus and find hope in the small wins and the slow progress.
For however long I may have on this earth… I would prefer to be consistent and confident in my path. I would prefer to make plans that work. Not consistently fail at what works for another.
I eat vegan dinners.
I fast on average 13 hours a day.
This are my small wins.
They have only become a part of my daily life through small tiny imperceptible changes.
I need to be thankful for any change. All change.
I choose to see the sweetness of my slow journey. No longer seeing my path as inadequate. But seeing it's beauty.
Humility lives on my path.
Compassion lives on my path.
These are great things. They deserve appreciation. And appreciation for my path is a tiny, small imperceptible change I can make. Seeing my path differently and feeling good about it. That I can do.
I can do that… in a small slow way. Like writing a blog post about it.
The tiny steps continue.


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After the wedding ends, you'll be left with photographs, memories, and an assortment of mementos (invitations, accessories, etc.) that will help you cherish the day for years to come. If you're even the slightest bit sentimental, you're probably wondering what to do with those miscellaneous wedding keepsakes — you don't want them to risk getting damaged, but they deserve more than being tucked away in a box and put into storage. Our solution? Frame them! It's a win-win situation: they'll be protected and preserved, but you'll also get to enjoy them on a regular basis as decorative keepsakes throughout your home.
To get you started, WeddingWire partnered with Framebridge to create a list of wedding keepsakes you can frame after the big day ends — and you might be surprised to learn they're not just photos. If you want to show off your unique wedding day moments and details, you can enter WeddingWire's #HowWeWed contest through September 14, 2018 for a chance to win $1,000 and a gallery wall from Framebridge!
Here are some of our favorite frame-worthy wedding keepsakes.
Your wedding stationery, especially the invitation, is one of the most meaningful tokens from your big day. The invitation includes all the important details about the wedding, from your venue and date to the ceremony time. It's also a snapshot of your wedding aesthetic, showcasing your color palette, style, and personal touches, like your married monogram. A lot of work went into creating your wedding stationery, especially if you had something custom-made, and we love the idea of framing the pieces as artwork. Save-the-dates, ceremony programs, menus, and your reception place cards are other frameable options.
Wedding Day Notes
If you and your spouse exchanged love notes or cards on the morning of the wedding, you can turn those into decorative pieces by putting them in frames. They'll be a sweet reminder of your wedding day butterflies every time you look at them!
Whether you followed a traditional set of vows or wrote your own, the vows signify your transition into marriage — no doubt a huge part of your wedding day. We suggest preserving your vows in frames and displaying them in your favorite room as wedding keepsakes. If you scribbled your vows down on scrap paper at the last minute (hey, it happens!), you can keep them in their original state for added character, or hire a calligrapher to rewrite them for a look that's more intentional. Vow booklets are easily framed, too!
Informal Marriage Certificates
Paperwork is often the less-glamorous side of getting married, but it's still an important part of your wedding story. Instead of storing the documents and wondering where they went years down the road, frame them! Jewish couples sign a non-legal contract called the ketubah, which outlines the marriage duties — but you don't need to be Jewish to have one at your wedding. Ketubahs and similar documents get a stylish upgrade with the help of a simple frame. Remember not to confuse these with legal documents like your marriage license or marriage certificate, which you'll need for things such as insurance, bank accounts, and changing your name.
Don't be afraid to get creative when it comes to your frameable wedding details — the list of possibilities goes way beyond paper and flat items. You can use frames to preserve your more delicate wedding day accessories, like a veil, garter, dress sash, bow tie, jewelry, or even socks. Turn a wedding handkerchief or pocket square into a colorful, unique wall accent by displaying it unfolded inside a frame.
Not ready to say goodbye to those beautiful blooms after the wedding ends? Save a little piece of your decor by arranging the flowers or individual petals inside a frame as wedding keepsakes. You'll need to press and dry the flowers first — depending on the look you want, you can do this with an entire bouquet, a boutonniere, or simply use a few of your favorite flowers.
Favorite Wedding Photo
This hopefully goes without saying, but your favorite wedding photo is an absolute must-frame item! We highly recommend ordering a set of professional-quality prints from your wedding photographer after receiving your photos. Then, pick your favorite (if you can even bring yourself to choose just one) and hang it in a special place in your home.


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Whether you are looking for a simple teat to give as gifts, or you want to makes something for your family, this eggnog haystack recipe will be well received!
What Is A Haystack Recipe?
While there really isn't a whole lot to this recipe, you'd be surprised to know that they are a number of different versions out there. For me, haystacks have always been made with chow mein noodles, peanut butter, and butterscotch chips. But some people make them with pretzels, rice crispy cereal, cornflakes, and/or coconut. I think the key take away from this is you need a crunchy, perhaps salty element and a sweet, chocolatey element. Beyond that, anything goes.
How To Make This Haystack Recipe
You are going to love how simple this no-bake recipe is! In a bowl, combine your chow mein noodles and peanuts. I used unsalted, but if you want a little more salty taste, by all means, try the salted peanuts. I melted white chocolate wafers, which is sometimes called candy bark or white chocolate candy coating. My favorite brand is Ghirardelli. I find that those melt quickly, easily and stirs up nice and smooth. And to me, the flavor beats some of the other brands.
You do not want to use white chocolate chips for this recipe as chocolate morsels will seize up as soon as you add any liquid. For this recipe, you will add a touch of rum extract to lend this haystack recipe that eggnog flavor. A sprinkle of nutmeg brings it all home!
Once the chocolate wafers have melted, quickly whisk in the rum extract and nutmeg then pour the mixture over the chow mein noodles; stir to coat. I used two large spoons to spoon the haystacks onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. They will take an hour or so to set completely. Store your haystacks in an airtight container for up to one week.
Eggnog Haystack Recipe
Whether you are looking for a simple teat to give as gifts, or you want to makes something for your family, this eggnog haystack recipe will be well received!
- 3 cups chow mein noodles
- 1 cup peanuts (I used unsalted)
- 32 oz chocolate bark or candy coating (I used Ghirardelli)
- 2 teaspoons rum extract ( or less depending on taste)
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- Combine the chow mien noodles and peanuts in a large bowl.
- Place the candy coating in a microwave safe bowl and heat in 45 second intervals until melted. Stir in the extract and the nutmeg. Drizzle chocolate mixture over the noodles, stirring to coat.
- Using two spoons, scoop haystacks onto lined baking sheets.
- Allow the haystacks to set completely before storing.
- Haystacks can be stored in an airtight container for 1 week.
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The road to happiness lies in two simple principles: Find what it is that interests you and that you can do well, and put your whole soul into it—every bit of energy and ambition and natural ability that you have. —John D. Rockefeller
Hey folks, welcome
I crafted this page to out-pour my thoughts,insights, and emotions of my weird live. writing is a solution for sharpening my mind, structuring, and avoiding me to be derail of my ultimate purpose in this heavily distracted life.
I wish through this writing, I can be connected by God to You, who has enthusiasm to achieve your dreams. I have a faith; dreaming is the only thing that make us sleep late at the night and wake early in the morning.
I have interest on business strategy , diversity (equality, feminism, religion), and self improvement. I spent most of my leisure time to read Wall Street Journal, HBR and Business Indonesia.
Lately i learning about venture capital, private equity, and financial technology.
I believe those 3 things will be my next big thing to be learned.
I called the project me 2.0. (project 3.0 is under construction) I am in the middle of reconstruct myself. In Today's Artificial Intelligence era, where the public demand for Authentic Intelligence. I know the solution is just go to Seoul and get everything augmented. but i am not going there since that only for the Aesthetics Intelligence. but if we can combine 3 A, become Authentic, Aesthetic, and Utilized Artificial Intelligence for more effective way of living, that sounds good isn't it?
May God always blessing us to reach our dreams and expectations; our task is to kick our ass off, Deliver our best, Develop people around us, Delegate unimportant things to others.


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Special to the Reporter
The Somervell County Master Gardener Association (SCMGA) and Lake Granbury Master Gardener Association (LGMGA) were selected to co-host the 2011 State TMGA Conference at the April 2009 Texas Master Gardener Association Conference held in Marshall. The 2011 Conference will be held at the Expo Center in Glen Rose, April 27-29, 2011.
This was a competitive bidding process between Bexar County (San Antonio) and co-host partners SCMGA and LGMGA. The Conference will bring approximately 1,000 attendees to the Glen Rose area for three days of educational training, tours, sightseeing, and shopping at local businesses.
SCMGA was well represented at the 2011 Conference in Marshall with 11 of 23 members attending.
This was the group�s first year to enter the Awards Program sponsored by the TMGA in cooperation with the AgriLIFE Extension. A record-breaking 157 entries were submitted from the entire state and SCMGA won four awards in the small association category.
Web site administrator Dove Johnson won first place in the Mass Media category.
President Donna Hagar won second in the Individual MG Award.
SCMGA placed third in the Association Award category and their newsletter SCMGA News also placed third.


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I've begun to really dig deep into what I want to do career-wise once I reach California. To be honest, I'm still quite stumped. A lot of my issue is a fear of rejection and really, my penchant for avoiding risk. But as I am in the beginning stages of my job-hunt (résumé building, cover letter writing, general web searches researching companies of interest) I've realized a big part of this that I don't enjoy is the process of selling yourself. Really, that's what the whole thing is: convincing prospective employers that you have the traits that they want.
Sometimes the job application process makes me feel like I am begging, or that I need to lie through my teeth about my skills and re-approach actually learning something later. Instead, wouldn't it be great to be hired into a job based on character and the faith that you'll learn and grow into the position? Let's be real, I don't have any fancy work history and have made my share of mistakes, but I've seen a lot of idiots get jobs with salaries that look their nose down at mine, all the while I am knowing that I could run circles around the job if given the chance.
And how insanely pretentious and dishonest do you feel writing cover letters? I never feel like I am talking to a human. There is something absolutely robotic to introductory letters that makes job hunting even worse. Can't we just be ourselves? Does personality not matter?
Sure, I have technical skills. I am pretty good at computers and have great phone etiquette. I learn fast. But doesn't everyone say that? Sometimes I really wish all companies found some sort of skills test for human interaction: how many of YOUR coworkers would have failed that one?
So if I could write a cover letter and résumé in the way I wanted, it would probably read like the one below. Here is the (pretty) long introduction (cover) letter that I wish I could send employers. And not only send, but have be the letter that gets me the job."Despite not having any specific job experience with the title of (insert job title that I've never done here) my previous experiences have provided me with the skills and traits required of such a position.As a manager of a store of over 40 employees, I learned the difference between making a plan and actually executing it. Many retail employees will often express that plans don't always get carried out and where those plans fall short, the motivation of a manager picks up the slack. Some days, you cannot anticipate moods but you can learn how to direct attitudes and short-comings into lessons learned and new ways to approach situations. Unfortunately, you can't manage every person the same way. I am great at adapting training towards the needs of individuals and am able to communicate based on personality. Sometimes it takes both a little sass and a little sweet.
I've been at what I thought was the bottom of barrel: where everyone in the company seems to be my superior, especially in my most recent position. "Administrative assistant" sometimes feels like a fancy way of saying "pretty front desk lady" and sometimes "babysitter" but I've learned that when I don't do my job to its full extent: I am more important than I thought. Sure, I'm not running the meetings, but I am the one that makes sure that they happen. I am great at logistical planning and organization: calendars are my best friend.
And maybe comparing cell phones plans for the best rate doesn't seem so exciting, but it is exciting saving $1000 a month just by asking phone companies questions that weren't asked by the last person. I know complaining about repairs incessantly to the owner of the building that our company leases our space from seems really annoying and at days makes me feel like a nag. Didn't that work eventually get done? And now, doesn't the building owner call weekly (on his own) to ask if there is any maintenance that needs to be done? I am able to assess the needs of the workplace I am in and provide solutions based upon those needs.
So really, small things do matter sometimes.
Did I graduate college? Sure did. You can ask what my degree is in and I will tell you, but first let me tell you why it doesn't matter what the degree is. I finished my degree in less time than anticipated knowing that the degree was for a field I didn't want to be in. I thought the degree was going to turn me into a world-changer by trade, but I learned too far into my schooling that it wouldn't and had two options: start from scratch or finish and learn some lessons along the way. I chose the latter. So what did I learn? Paying attention matters, learning is something that happens outside of school as well, and sleep is a necessary thing. I love to take notes, even if I completely understand what is being said and am constantly trying to learn new things. And I really like schedules and deadlines: planning your time allows for proper work/life balance.
People sometimes look down at others for working in the food industry. But let me tell you something: if that person didn't work that job, who would serve you? My experience with the food industry taught me more things than some of my other positions did. I learned that details lead up to bigger things: if you miss cleaning a spot once, someone else will miss that same spot the next shift and then it won't get cleaned. Being rude to a customer because they're rude to you doesn't solve anything: it just makes them angry. My previous positions have taught me the necessary traits of positive-customer and client interaction.
Every workplace has taught me a lot about the importance of communication, whether through a lack-thereof or from proper execution. I really don't believe that over-communication is a thing. I never assume. I also firmly believe that email communication shouldn't be seen as more casual than a formal letter or face-to-face interaction. There's something to the old-adage: "if you wouldn't say it to your grandma. . ."
Small parts make a big picture.
If you give me the opportunity, I will be the hardest worker you have come across, and if I don't know it-- I will learn it."
What do you wish you could say to potential employers without the fear of rejection?


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Our skilled and licensed plumbers at Sherman Plumbing and Heating Company in Clinton, MO provide all types of plumbing services for residential and commercial projects. We sell and install all brands of plumbing faucets and fixtures. Call today for professional services.
Our Plumbing Services Include:
- Backhoe and Trenching Services
- Complete Plumbing Systems for New Homes and Remodels
- Drain Cleaning
- Faucets, Toilets, Sinks, Tubs and Showers (Installation, Repair and Replacement)
- Pipe Repair and Replacement
- Pipe Thawing
- Sump Pump Installation and Repair
- Unclogging Drains and Toilets
- Water Filter Installation
- Water Heater Repair, Replacement, Installation and Maintenance
- Water Treatment Services
Call Us Today
The HVAC services you require can be efficiently performed by our HVAC technicians. If you need repairs or maintenance to your HVAC system, you can count on us.


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Martin Luther King Jr., Press Conference, Watts Riots, 1965
Lawrence Schiller
© Lawrence Schiller
Martin Luther King, Jr. listens intently during a press conference in this captivating shot from Lawrence Schiller.
In 1964, King became the youngest man to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work as a peacemaker, promoting nonviolence and equal treatment for different races. On April 4, 1968, in one of the most tragic losses of the 20th century, King was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.


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Thanks for visiting!
Thank you so much for visiting our website. If this is your first time here, welcome!
Please feel free to contact us to schedule a consultation or to request some more samples of our work. If you are local to Columbia, SC, we can meet up at Starbucks, Dunkin', or even the library to chat about the details of your upcoming wedding, session, or event. I'm always looking for a good excuse to sip on a Frappuccino! :)
We look forward to capturing the memories that you plan on making!!!
Talk to you soon...
Shana and the POP team


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The International Ice Hockey Federation has issued doping bans to three players in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League. Among them is former Russian national team player Danis Zaripov.
A statement issued by the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) on Tuesday said Danis Zaripov (pictured above, right), Derek Smith and Andrei Konev had been suspended by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) after testing positive for banned substances.
The 36-year-old Zaripov, a three-time world champion who played for Russia at the 2010 Olympics, has been banned until May 2019 after traces of a prohibited stimulant and masking agent were found in samples he provided during the 2016-17 season.
Canadian defenseman Derek Smith has been banned until September 2018, and Russian defenseman Andrei Konev until November 2017, after stimulants were also detected in samples provided by them.
In the statement, the KHL said the 377 doping tests conducted during last season were administered with the help of the IIHF and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), plus the Doping Free Sport Unit of SportAccord, the umbrella organization for international sports federations.
Doping bans are rare in Russian ice hockey, and these came shortly after the Russian government announced sweeping new measures aimed at curbing the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports.
Russia's athletics federation and Paralympic committee remain suspended after two WADA-commissioned reports released in 2016 found evidence of systematic, state-sponsored doping at the highest levels of Russian sports.
Russia's anti-doping agency, RUSADA, also remains suspended over the WADA reports, but last month it was allowed to again plan and coordinate testing under the supervision of international experts.
Russia have beaten Finland 5-2 in the final of the Ice Hockey World Championship in Belarus. Goals from NHL stars Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin propelled the Russians to their 27th gold medal. (25.05.2014)


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The SAHS Music Department 4th annual Pasta & Pops Concert and Fundraiser will have a Valentines theme again this year. The Orchestra will play a number of delightful tunes steeped in the season while audience members enjoy a hearty meal with other Music Department families. We will also have a silent auction again this year with all proceeds going towards future traveling expenses. Tickets are $10 per person or $40 for a family of five or more.
Back to All Events
Earlier Event: December 12Winter Concert


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Insight Medical publishing handpicks the article for publication after a careful and thorough single blind peer reviewing. The articles generally deploy quantitative methods, exploring a particular topic or theme with empirical evidence. Review articles written based on secondary data unearth important dimensions of the topic that is otherwise hidden. There are commentaries, reflecting the individual viewpoints and case reports that pay an exclusive focus on a particular aspect of the scientific development. Our journals are always open to novice practices and we encourage the manuscripts that document the ongoing changes and the latest advancements in the field concerned.
I Made Gede Widnyana, Tjokorda Gde Agung Senapathi, I Wayan Aryabiantara, Made Wiryana, Ketut Sinardja, I Gede Budiarta, IGN Mahaalit Aribawa, Made Agus Kresna Sucandra, Pontisomaya Parami and I Made Artawan
Abstract | Full-Text | PDF
International Journal of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine
All Published work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Copyright © 2019 All rights reserved. iMedPub LTD Last revised : August 23, 2019


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I realized i've gained some weight after taking my TCM treatment, it does help with my body cold feet and hand problem seems getting better, period finally show appearance and my appetite become "better" too. I feel very bloated and heavy so i decided to start working out, Ping intro me an workout app a while ago but i never have the intention to start any exercise that time finally it come in handy!
i've been cycling ever since we got our bobbin bike, after sending Chloe to school i will usually ride to park for 1 or 2 round till my leg feel tired then do marketing before heading home. In the evening or night time i'll do my 10 mins burner work out which give a good sweat before going to shower.
I've been feeling very healthy inside out instead of having supplements i think my mum is right that working out/exercise is the natural way to keep fit and healthy. I also lose about 2 kg after a month doing these routine! i'm back to 42kg hope it maintain for a long while. I used to be 40kg tho after 1 year Chloe was born but i was very underweight and weak 42kg consider healthy weight for me although my BMI still underweight but at least i feel much healthy.
This week we've been cycling a lot! Monday we cycled to Macritchie Reservoir, this place is beautiful and i've been missing it out this gem although it's so near to our place! Today we cycled the whole bishan park then to AMK for breakfast. I really enjoy cycling very much then any other sports!


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Norman Williams Story
Norman Williams and Senior Reverse Mortgage Services, Inc.
Norman Williams is President and CEO of Senior Reverse Mortgage Services, Inc. He was born in Austin, Texas, in 1948 and grew up in Fort Worth. Norman received his Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Business Administration from the University of North Texas in 1972. Norman is a frequent speaker for church groups, clubs and organizations throughout the state on various Estate and Financial Planning topics. He empowers senior citizens with the knowledge to prepare their estates to avoid unnecessary costs associated with probate and long-term care, such as nursing home, home health care and assisted living care facilities.
Norman's Credentials
Member of:
"I've developed many long term relationships with my clients, built on honesty, integrity and trust. That will ALWAYS be my goal."
The Norman Williams Story — "Why I Got A Reverse Mortgage"
When I turned 62 a couple of years ago, I considered options available to me through the HUD/FHA Reverse Mortgage program. From the time I built my home, I had seen it appreciate in value. With the state of the economy as it has been over the past few years and real estate values declining, I decided my home would not be gaining much value over the next 10 years or so. My career has been in Financial Planning and Real Estate, so I have access to different investments and product comparisons which I use for clients and myself. In reviewing the options available, it was evident that I could use my equity more efficiently with a Reverse Mortgage and invest the TAX FREE proceeds. This meant I could almost double the proceeds over the next 10 years by investing my available equity! My home was not going to gain in value that much over the next 10 years. I did not want my home equity to be "dead" equity used by a banker making money off of my home equity. Why shouldn't I use my own equity through the Reverse Mortgage to improve my financial position? It is comforting for me to know that the money I worked hard for and used to pay off my home mortgage now affords me the advance of equity through the Reverse Mortgage. Now I can make investments and buy a T-bone steak on Friday nights! I always plan to retire in style.


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with Amber Cook
People often say Yogi's look young and it is true for many reasons. Abhyanga, the art of Ayurvedic oil massage can help with joint pain, sore muscles, and damaged skin. Abhyanga can also help with digestive issues, nervous system issues, and eye sight. In this workshop you will find out what your Dosha or ayurvedic constitution/makeup is, what oils to use for self massage, and the proper techniques to apply the oil. We will then move through an effective asana sequence incorporating deep twists and cleansing breath techniques. After the practice, enjoy a cup of detoxifying herbal tea. Please bring a yoga mat towel, wear clothes you don't mind getting oil on, and wear loose fitting clothes that will allow you to put oil on your entire leg, stomach and back.
$35 in advance/$40 day of
In conjunction with Nature Yoga Teacher Training. Space is very limited, register early!
**Refund Policy- In order to retain class credit, please cancel within 24 hours of workshop by emailing email@example.com. Refunds will not be issued for no call/no shows
** Studio Cancellation Policy- Special events and workshops require a minimum number of students to attend in order to take place. If you are interested in a workshop, we encourage you to register early. We will notify you and issue a full refund 24-48 hours in advance if a workshop is canceled due to low registration. Thank you!


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Happy First Day of Spring! Nia, one of our intrepid Next Chapter Club Writers wrote this excellent story about mischievous Spring. Enjoy!
I was grinning in triumph! I had stolen Independence Day from the unsuspecting Summer. We were currently in one of those girl drama situations, and, to get back at her for saying I was reckless and irresponsible, I stole Independence day. Of course, that would only affect America because other countries celebrate Independence Day on different days. But, at the time, I was, yes, reckless and irresponsible, so I didn't bother to think. I knew the mature Summer would chase after me sooner or later, but I didn't think about that either. I chose the Fourth of July instead of Father's Day because I wanted something less boring than Mother's Day to be in my range of holidays.
People were really confused. One person said, "Hey, did you hear that the Fourth of July moved to April?" "What?" said his friend. "My calendar says it's on July 4." People traditionally eat summer fruits on the Fourth of July and are in the mood for barbecuing in the summer, so, things changed. A lot. I moved Fourth of July to a Sunday. So, the kids couldn't stay up to watch the fireworks because it was a school night. They couldn't eat watermelon because it wasn't in season. Summer ratted me out to Autumn (my best friend), and gossipy, giggly Autumn told Winter. When Winter gets mad, she goes crazy and insta-freezes everything in sight. So, yeah. Winter was so mad that she froze everyone until I apologized and reversed it. "Okay, fine. I'm really sorry," I said. "I'll reverse this. Here, Summer. You can have the Fourth of July back." And from then on, I thought before I did something.


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Arthur Vaught, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Expertise: Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Obstetrics
Dr. Arthur "Jason" Vaught is a board certified maternal fetal medicine specialist and surgical critical care physician. His focus is in the discovery of treatment and therapies in HELLP syndrome, decreasing severe maternal morbidity, and cardiovascular diseases in pregnancy.
- Assistant Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics
- Assistant Professor of Surgery
Departments / Divisions
- Gynecology and Obstetrics - Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Surgery - Acute Care and Adult Trauma Surgery
- MD, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine (2007)
- Emory University School of Medicine / Obstetrics and Gynecology (2011)
- Shands Hospital at the University of Florida / Critical Care Medicine (2013)
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine / Maternal & Fetal Medicine (2016)
Board Certifications
- American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology / Maternal and Fetal Medicine (2018)
- American Board of Surgery / Surgical Critical Care (2013)
Research & Publications
Selected Publications
Vaught AJ, Braunstein EM, Jasem J, Yuan X, Makhlin I, Eloundou S, Baines AC, Merrill SA, Chaturvedi S, Blakemore K, Sperati CJ, Brodsky RA. Germline mutations in the alternative pathway of complement predispose to HELLP Syndrome. JCI Insight. Publish online March 22, 2018
Vaught AJ. Maternal Sepsis. Semin Perinatal. 2018 Feb; 42(1): 9-12.
Vaught AJ, Szymanski LM, Mukherjee M, Mayer S, Seifert S, Vaidya D, Murphy J, Argani CM, O'Kelly A, York S, Ouyang P, Zakaria S. The Acute Effects of Preeclampsia on the Heart. JACC Accepted.
Smid MC, Dotters-Katz SK, Vaught AJ, Vladutiu CJ, Boggess KA, Stamilio DM. Maternal suberobesity and risk for intensive care unit admission in the MFMU Cesarean Registry. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2017 Aug; 96(8): 976-983
Szymanski L, Arnold C, Vaught AJ, Lamantia S, Harris T, Satin AJ. Implementation of a multicenter shoulder dystocia injury prevention program. Semin Perinatol. 2017 Apr; 41(3): 187-194.
Activities & Honors
- Robert E. Meyerhoff Professorship, The Johns Hopkins University
- Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health, NIH and Johns Hopkins University
- Perinatal Research Society Cassady Young Investigator Award
- American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Society of Critical Care Medicine
- Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine
- Perinatal Research Society
Patient Ratings & Comments
The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to physician related questions on the national CG-CAHPS Medical Practice patient experience survey through Press Ganey. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score. Comments are also gathered from our CG-CAHPS Medical Practice Survey through Press Ganey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
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By Paul Najjar
Wild Card games: 4-0
Panthers at Rams
The Panthers polished off the Cowboys last week with a solid mix of running and passing the football. QB Jake Delhomme and his offensive line played one of their best games of the season against the top rated defense of the Cowboys. They are a tough, physical football team that knows how to get the ball in the hands of their best players, RB Stephen Davis and WR Steven Smith.
The Rams finished the season losing three of their last five games. In those losses they simply turned the ball over too much. QB Marc Bulger had nine turnovers in those three losses and has looked harried in the face of a strong pass rush. WR Torry Holt has had the best year of any receiver in the league and will look to exploit the average Carolina cornerbacks Ricky Manning, Jr. and Reggie Howard. And what about RB Marshall Faulk, you ask? In past big games, Coach Mike Martz has generally NOT used Faulk enough in the running game. The Rams will need him today to ensure that they control the clock and sustain drives.
I think the Panthers' defense will charge hard at unsettling QB Marc Bulger. The Panthers' front seven on defense are big, physical and fast; they too will benefit from playing on the speedy artifical turf at St. Louis. Remember, this Panthers' team beat Indianapolis at Indy and that field is pretty much the same as the Rams' turf. They beat Indy by pounding their running backs Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster and even Rod "He Hate Me" Smart once in a while. I think they will pound the Rams' quick defense with at least 40 rushes. Carolina Coach John Fox knows what it takes defensively to beat the Rams in St. Louis. He was the defensive coordinator for the Giants from 1998 to 2001 and held the Rams' potent offense to an average of 20 points a game in the three games they played during his tenure. The Panthers defense and their tough running game leads me to pick them in an upset.
Panthers 20 Rams 17
Titans at Patriots
This will be one great game to watch. Earlier this season the Patriots and Titans played a 38-30 shootout that the Pats won with over 160 yards rushing (three Titans' defensive starters were out). They won't get that many rushing yards today. The air will be very cold as game time temperatures are expected to be near sub-zero and that will make the hitting that much harder and fierce. This is what the NFL playoffs are about: two very good teams playing in volatile weather conditions.
The Titans are coming off a great win at Baltimore last week. They dominated with their ground game and a couple of terrific plays out of their passing game even though QB and MVP Steve McNair threw three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. I expect the same game plan this week at New England: run the ball with tough man Eddie George and try to exploit the well-coached Patriots' defense.
The Patriots are the best team in football right now. They do just enough to win on offense and their defense has been pretty dominant. They will try to do things defensively in order to confuse the Titans' offensive blocking schemes. Offensively, look for QB Tom Brady to throw a variety of short and medium passes to counter the tough front seven of the Titans. This should be a low scoring, hard-hitting affair with the cold air affecting every player on the field. The Patriots are used to such conditions and will crawl away from this game with a win.
Patriots 17 Titans 14
Colts at Chiefs
The Colts are playing their best football since moving to Indianapolis in 1984. This team will be well prepared to face the big offense that Kansas City will put up against them. But Indy has seen plenty of big offenses this season as they played Tennessee and Denver twice each, as well as New England. The Chiefs have not put together a solid victory since November. Their defense has given up 45 points in two of their last five games at Denver and at Minnesota.
The Colts' played with confidence on offense and defense last week against Denver. They were the superior team in that game and they needed that type of performance to get their rhythm back as a team. Look for QB Peyton Manning and WR Marvin Harrison to have big games against the very tame Chiefs' defense. Manning should throw for 300+ yards and RB Edgerrin should run for more than 100 yards in this shootout. But look for some big plays on defense by Colts' DE Dwight Freeney as he tries to disrupt the Chiefs' short-passing game.
The Chiefs have been exploited on defense by some very good offenses, but none as good as Indianapolis'. They must stop Marvin Harrison from making big plays in the passing game. Offensively, QB Trent Green has been effective, but not outstanding. I think RB Priest Holmes is the key to this game and that if he gets 25 or more carries and rushes for 125+ yards, then the Chiefs will probably win the game. But I think the Chiefs will be playing from behind and have to throw the football too much. Call it a Colts' upset win on the road and a big win for QB Peyton Manning. Colts 31 Chiefs 21
Packers at Eagles
The Packers have had a tremendous run in the past three weeks. They have displayed a potent offensive attack and have played with passion. Defensively, the Packers have done little to actually stop their opponents. In order to win this game they will have to play turnover free football and continue to run the ball effectively. RB Ahman Green has been outstanding all season and continues to produce on the ground and as a receiver.
The Eagles are another team playing with great confidence but they will have to make stopping Ahman Green their number one priority. The Eagles will have to overcome the loss of injured RB Bryant Westbrook, a change-of-pace running back with PLENTY of pace. They will do so by getting the ball to Duce Staley out in the flat with short, quick passes. This team is poised to make a run at the Super Bowl and they should make it by the highly emotional Packers.
Eagles 27 Packers 13